The Cars Documentary Released On DVD Today
The Cars frontman Ric Ocasek teamed up with Docudrama for a documentary about the Boston-based new wave band titled The Cars Unlocked, which was released today. The DVD also comes with the band’s first-ever live album with 14 tracks. Although the old Cars isn’t intact anymore, the New Cars (pictured) are alive and kickin’ with Todd Rundgren at the lead. ... read more
David Cross Brings On The Freak Squad
Those still lamenting the cancellation of Mr. Show can now find their ways back into David Cross’ mind of comedy. Comedy Central will be the home of Cross’ and Jon Benjamin’s Freak Show, an animated show which follows the misadventures of the Freak Squad who are employed by the Pentagon to do low-priorty missions. For more information on the show, go here. ... read more
LCD Soundsystem Composes Nike Jogging Anthem
According to Pitchforkmedia.com, post-punk electronic auteur James Murphy, aka LCD Soundsystem, has composed a 45-minute song to accompany workouts at the request of Nike. The song, titled "45:33," will be available for download on iTunes through the Nike+ store for $9.99. Murphy was apparently inspired by the prospect of producing a piece that deviated from the more marketable pop song format, similar to the longer work he had done while remixing Gorillaz and UNKLE as DFA. ... read more
Lala.com Rescues Indie Rock Radio Station
As massive communication companies and digital technology have slowly began their undebatable domination of all things media, the future of independent radio has never been in more jeopardy. Clear Channel’s encroaching airwave monopoly and independent rock’s descent into illegal file sharing and elitist internet communities have all but exiled unsigned and indie artists from their home on the radio dial. So when Cincinnati’s lauded digital indie rock station, WOXY, went off the air last September, Bill Nguyen of Lala.com felt an inherent responsibility to act out. As the CEO of the virtual $1 CD outlet and self-described "biggest record store... read more
The Secret Machines Play Concert for a Cause
On October 21, 2006, indie rock group The Secret Machines will perform in San Diego to raise funds for the impoverished, conflict-ravaged region of Darfur. The Machines along with twenty other bands and musicians from a variety of genres including TV on The Radio, +44, and Ziggy Marley have partnered with MySpace.com to raise awareness and money for Darfur by playing all over the U.S. for one night each. A few days later on October 24, The Secret Machines will take up another somewhat less serious cause, promoting mass transit throughout Los Angeles by playing a special show called “Public... read more
Little Steven Announces Band Contest
Rocker Little Steven and AT&T blue room have announced the Underground Garage Battle of the Bands, a competition in which eligible bands can upload an MP3 to the AT&T blue room site (www.attblueroom.com/music) to compete for a chance to open for the New York Dolls on their Rolling Rock and Roll Show tour in November. Entries must be received by 11:59 pm on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 and will be reviewed by Little Steven and his staff. Three bands from each market will make it to the final round where they will compete for votes on the blue room... read more
WFUV Releases Ninth Live Compilation
On October 31, 2006, WFUV 90.7 FM, the non-commercial, New York City radio station, licensed to Fordham University for over 50 years will release City Folk Live 9, its ninth compilation CD of exclusive performances recorded at the station. The compilation, which features 18 tracks spanning the past year, includes performances by such artists as Sonya Kitchell, Josh Ritter, Rosanne Cash, and My Morning Jacket. It marks the move of WFUV, a station which has become a leader in contemporary music radio, into new studios, a move that Music Director Rita Houston says contributes to in-studio performances that are better... read more
Patti Smith Sings CBGB's Requiem
Legendary NYC punk club CBGB’s final requiem will be delivered by rock matriarch Patti Smith on October 15. Despite efforts from fans and promoters to save the venue, the concert hall that helped define a music genre and launch the careers of Talking Heads, The Ramones and Television will close its doors after its final show on October 31, due to unsuccessful rent negotiations with its landlord. Opened in 1975, CBGB is largely regarded as the birthplace of American punk. Founder and owner Hilly Kristal initially intended to host blues and country bands at the Bowery bar (CBGB stands for... read more
Justin Hawkins Quits The Darkness
According to Pitchforkmedia.com, Justin Hawkins, the king of glam falsetto vocals and lead singer of The Darkness, has announced his departure from the cult rock band in today’s issue of British tabloid The Sun. Hawkin’s says his exit was spurred by his growing addiction to cocaine, a habit that cost him ₤150,000 over the past three years. Hawkins decided to leave The Darkness, which has released two successful albums since its inception in 2000, after he checked into rehab last August with the intention to permanently sober up- a feat he says he cannot accomplish in a rock and roll... read more
Patty Griffin, Mindy Smith Play Folk Festival
Patty Griffin, Mindy Smith, Chely Wright, The Avett Brothers and a host of other folk musicians have all been confirmed for this year’s Americana Folk Festival, presented by CMT. The festival will be emceed by CMT’s Loaded host Adam Black and feature a variety of food vendors with coffeehouse fare, ethnic food and organic/vegan offerings. David Mead, Jeremy Lister, Thad Cockrell, Carey Ott, Old Black Kettle, Little Country Giants, Blue Mother Tupelo, Sandra McCracken, Diana Jones, Zane Williams, Peter Bradley Adams, Robby Hecht, Caitlyn Smith are also slated to play. The festival will run from 9 am – 11... read more
Stooges Record New Album; Mike Watt Blogs About It
Billboard reports that the first Stooges album since 1973 is currently being recorded and is slated to be released by Virgin Records in 2007. Eternal Stooges frontman Iggy Pop has teamed up with bassist (and former Minuteman) Mike Watt, guitarist Ron Asheton, and drummer Scott Asheton for the currently untitled record. In a decidedly hi-tech move for the punk rock outfit, Watt has been blogging about his experiences on his website,doling out small nuggets of information about the "secret plan" of a record, from purported track names ("Greedy Awful People" and "I'm Fried," among others) to production notes ("She Took... read more
Camera Obscura Song Featured In Grey's Anatomy
In the midst of incessant rants and ramblings, screaming patients and muffled cries, you’ll hear a nifty little tune while watching ABC hit dramedy Grey’s Anatomy. If you tune in tonight at 9 p.m. EST, you’ll hear Scottish indie pop band Camera Obscura’s “If Looks Could Kill.” Good tunes mixed with good entertainment equals good times… ... read more
Nirvana's Live! Tonight! Sold Out! Released on DVD
Geffen/UMe has announced the DVD release of Live! Tonight! Sold Out!, which chronicles Nirvana's 1991-1992 world tour and their subsequent rise to rock icon status. First released on VHS in 1994, the new DVD version has been digitally remastered, color corrected, and amped up to include previously unreleased concert and interview footage. Originally filmed on home video by the band, Live! Tonight! Sold Out! features live performances of "About A Girl," "Polly," and "Come As You Are," among others. Exclusive DVD extras include five tracks recorded live in Amsterdam on the band's first world tour. ... read more
Ramones Biopic Rumored; Rosengarten At Helm?
Stereogum reports that a Ramones biopic may be in the works, with producer Rory Rosegarten possibly at the helm. Based on I Slept With Joey Ramone, the band's biography penned by Joey's brother Mickey Leigh, the film will feature the Ramones' own music, to which Rosegarten has reportedly already secured the rights. Check out Stereogum's original post on the project here. ... read more
Dinosaur Jr. Back On The Scene
Precursor to the onslaught of 90s alt-rock bands, Dinosaur Jr. enjoyed a loyal cult following and garnered substantial respect from 1989 until its “final” demise in 1997. But it ain’t over ‘til it’s really over. Last year Dinosaur Jr. reunited with its original lineup for the first time since 1989 for a reunion tour. Guitarist J. Mascis, bassist Lou Barlow (Sebadoh), and drummer Murph are the main characters in an upcoming live DVD, to be released May 8, 2007, which will include footage from shows in Boston and New York. After its reunion tour, it seems that the original trio... read more
Dinosaur Jr. Back On The Scene
Precursor to the onslaught of 90s alt-rock bands, Dinosaur Jr. enjoyed a loyal cult following and garnered substantial respect from 1989 until its “final” demise in 1997. But it ain’t over ‘til it’s really over. Last year Dinosaur Jr. reunited with its original lineup for the first time since 1989 for a reunion tour. Guitarist J. Mascis, bassist Lou Barlow (Sebadoh), and drummer Murph are the main characters in an upcoming live DVD, to be released May 8, 2007, which will include footage from shows in Boston and New York. After its reunion tour, it seems that the original trio... read more
Zach of All Trades
Zach Braff is The Quadruple Threat. He writes. He directs. He’s the “Floating Head Doctor.” And he helps The Shins change your life. read more
Damien Rice to Release 9 on November 14th
Irish singer-songwriter Damien Rice will release 9, the much anticipated follow-up to his 2003 debut album O, on November 14th, 2006. Rice has been crafting the album for the past two years, writing, recording, and producing the 10 tracks himself and designing the packaging artwork. Fans who caught one of his shows with Fiona Apple over the summer may remember a few of the new songs, which Rice debuted live during the tour. For more information, check out damienrice.com. ... read more
Peter Hook Writes About The Hacienda
Peter Hook, bassist for New Order and Joy Division, is writing a book about The Hacienda club. The book, tentatively titled How Not To Run A Club, will deal with the Manchester, England club, which played a large part in changing the face of club culture not only in England, but around the world. The Hacienda, which was financed by New Order and Factory Records head Tony Wilson, hosted Madonna on her first UK tour and was featured in the 2002 film 24 Hour Party People. It closed in the mid-‘90s. Says Hook, “I realized I’d bored my friends for... read more
Belinda Carlisle Releases French Album
On February 6, 2007, former Go-Go’s frontwoman Belinda Carlisle will release her first new album in a decade. Produced by the legendary John Reynolds, Viola!, pays tribute to the classical French chansons and pop music of the ‘40s, ‘50s, and ‘60s and is sung entirely in French. It marks a radical departure for Carlisle, who enlisted the help of a stellar team of musicians including Brian Eno, Fianchna O’Braonain of the Hothouse Flowers, Julian Wilson of Grand Drive, and accordionist Sharron Shannon, among others. Carlisle, who moved to France post-Go Go’s said she wanted to “try everything, no holds barred,”... read more
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