New Music Services - Rdio.com and Musichype.com

Just this week, I've run across two new music services on the Web that are pretty intriguing - Rdio.com and Musichype.com.

Rdio.com describes itself on its page...
"Rdio is a new social music service, founded by Janus Friis with Niklas Zennström. We're making a music service that takes the work out of deciding what to play next — follow friends and people with great taste in music, get inspired by what they're playing, and listen to their playlists. With Rdio's mobile apps, music on your computer and mobile phone is finally connected without needing a cable. Collections and playlists are instantly updated and you can sync music and listen, even when you're offline. The name, Rdio, is a combination of the words radio and audio, and we pronounce it ar-dee-o."

I like the online version of Rdio.com - have not yet played with its mobile interface. Rdio's database of 7 million songs is now available to anyone with access on a desktop or a smartphone. It's making deals with leading independent aggregators and updated mobile applications for Android and iPhone’s iOS 4.0. I look forward to trying it out more. Any of you played with it yet?



The second service (still in beta) is Musichype.com, based in New Zealand. It writes on its site...
"Hi, we're MusicHy.pe! We're a site for music fans, like you. We bring bands straight to you - intimate and interactive style! We're out of the gate and in Beta. We've got heaps of ideas to bring your bands directly to you using smart technology and web services."

One of its first promos was to poll users on which Crowded House song they liked best. (Remember, New Zealand, kids). It offers both free and paid services to bands and labels. Still getting through their site and trying to see what Musichype does best. Not sure if they are still NZ-only services, or offering European or American exposure as well. Comment if you know more!

Tuesday Telltale Tripwires

There's a music blog somewhere here and I know it. Sometimes I forget to get to it. Tuesday's comin' at ya fast and loud and what's better than that?

- Hey, The Soft Pack is coming to Phoenix in a few weeks. I'm so there. Any band with a Bill Hicks picture on its home page is alright by me.

- Guns 'n Roses' Axl Rose speak to the Reading Festival crowd after the band 's set got curtailed by promoters, claiming curfew limits. The Guardian UK wrote about the set itself that "True, the magic of hearing the likes of Welcome To The Jungle, It's So Easy and November Rain live cannot be diminished. But last night Reading was challenged to judge whether this was enough, and Reading judged "no". There was no charisma, no chemistry.."

- I use the word "bits' all the time, to describe something coming up timewise ("It's on in a few bits"); or where I put my keys and shit ("It's over by my bits"), or a part of a song ("Those guitar parts are awesome bits"). Now Popdose has gone and stolen my fave word for a new feature, calling it Popdose's Greatest Bits - first feature on the men of pop-jazz-rock pioneers Steely Dan.

- Whoo Hoo! Check out upcoming shows for my rockin' Dfactor trio (aka The Swinging Media)

- KEXP Seattle is offering up Ra Ra Riot's song 'Boy' as a free Mp3 on its blog.

- Green Day once again rocked Phoenix last night. I did not go, but the New Times' music editor did and wrote about his fab concert-going experience.

Rock Clip of the Week - Two views of Black Flag 'Rise Above'

Waved Rumor's Rock Clip of the Week is two videos of Black Flag doing the classic punk anthem 'Rise Above' - both claim to be dated from 1984, though by the looks of Henry Rollin' hair in both, that claim is debatable. Click here to read some great fan stories of the Flag.

But in any case it's a great start to the weekend. Now go forth and Rock!



And from 1984, it's a hairier Henry Rollins and Black Flag doing 'Rise Above'

Top 60 Rolling Stones Songs of All Time (Deeper Shade of Soul)

Ben Lazar, music junkie over at NYC blog A Deeper Shade of Soul, is still putting together his top 60 Rolling Stones songs of all time. This is important. Sometime I feel that the Stones' music gets lost in the noise of the band's age, longevity, every two-year (3?) tour cycle and more.

When these songs were hitting airwaves in the mid-to-late 1960s and into the sex-and-drugs-and-soul Stones' 70s era, there was nothing else sounding like Jagger & Richards and Company. Richards' (and Jones', and Taylor's, and Wood's) snarling guitars, Jagger's loutish vocals and a rock steady rhythm section made the Stones unequaled in their prime.

But I think their inclination to 'Not fade away' has diminished the power of their songs somewhat over the years. (Not that's there's anything wrong with that, Mr. late 40s rocker himself!) So I'm glad to see Lazar tackling the top 60 Rolling Stones songs of all time. I hope he one day finishes the list, with "Can't Ya Hear Me Knockin'" right up top!

- Here's Ben's top Rollings Stones songs #30-#21

- Here's Ben's top Rolling Stones songs #40-#31

- Here's Ben's top Rolling Stones songs #50-#41

Enjoy some awesome classic live 1966 Rolling Stones right here:

Cast of 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' channel The Replacements

Pretty cool Replacements' 'Let it Be' rooftop homage on the upcoming cover of Filter Magazine, with the cast of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia".

Footnote: Just last night I was reading my copy of Jim Walsh's Replacements book "All Over But the Shouting" before I shut my eyes. True story.

When *is* that long-rumored 'Mats on Twin/Tone' box set gonna come out? Although I think I've got all of the band's early recordings on boot CDs anyway at this point, so why should I care?

Speaking of Let it Be, have you seen Amazon's image screwup? 1st Mats LP cover for Let it Be.

Crowded House - Intriguer // "When You Come" live

A brand new Crowded House release is out - it's called Intriguer, and here's what Billboard wrote about the new CD: "A collection of moody, meditative numbers that gradually reveals its charms after successive spins, "Intriguer" feels far removed from the more radio-ready fare of the band's early years. But that'll suit frontman Neil Finn's core fan base just fine, particularly those who treasure his introspective solo work and his Finn Brothers projects with sibling Tim."

Take a 7-minute video peek with the band talking about the songs, their inceptions and the full LP:



The band is touring the US West right now - here's a clip of their great song "When You Come" from their LA show over the weekend:

When You Come in LA from Crowded House on Vimeo.

Dfactor Shows - Shadows of Knight Live cover

I've been slacking around the blog lately, as I'm putting in a little more offline effort into getting my rock trio sounding better and better. Dfactor's upcoming shows in September include:
Sept 3 - PHX Art Museum (First Friday Train Tracks show)
Sept 17 - Desert Bloom (Chandler, AZ)
Sept 24 - Rogue Bar (w/TV Buddhas) Scottsdale, AZ

Here's a live crack at one of the covers we kick out - The Shadows of Knight 1966 garage rock classic "I'm Gonna Make You Mine" - never fail to have fun on this one!

Dfactor (Live 2010) - I'm Gonna Make You Mine by Dfactor

Slow Jam Sunday - Beach House: Walk in the Park

This is a super sweet mellow song from Baltimore trio Beach House, perfect for Sundays. It's called "Walk in the Park" and that it is. The band is on tour in September with Vampire Weekend and Dum Dum Girls.



Follow Beach House on Twitter.

Heaven 17 'Penthouse And Pavement' UK Reunion Shows

Great news for UK synth pop fans - an original synth pioneer band Heaven 17 are reuniting to play Fall 2010 shows around the UK where they are specifically doing a themed "Penthouse And Pavement" show. Glenn Gregory and Martyn Ware started the band via their British Electric Foundation some thirty years ago.

The band's Martyn Ware tells The Quietus in a great interview:
"Being the awkward buggers that we are we used to have this dogma about playing live. So we're still kind of excited by the prospect which is kind of rare for people who have been together for thirty years. But when we came to looking at the 30th anniversary tour, we just thought wouldn't it be nice to do it thoroughly, contextualize it with the whole B.E.F. thing and make it visually appealing as well."

The band's Glenn Gregory relates to The Quietus about the heady days of '81 synth pop recording, along with the Human League:
"It felt like a race to us. We were writing Penthouse And Pavement in the same recording space in Sheffield that they (the Human League) were writing Dare. There wasn't enough room for everybody to work and write at the same time, so we just decided to do shifts. We did it two week shifts, one band on days and the other on nights, and at the end of the fortnight we'd change over. And you'd come in and find a bit of 'Sound Of The Crowd' on a tape, so we'd listen to that! [laughs] And they'd find a bit of 'Fascist Groove Thing' and be going 'What the fuck's this?!' It did feel like a race. It was exciting."

Relive the goodness of 'Penthouse And Pavement' at Heaven 17's MySpace page.

Dfactor Rock Show tonight! Copperstate Tavern 8pm!

Just a quick note to let you know my rock trio known as Dfactor (aka The Power Chords) is opening up a night of rock 'n roll at Copperstate Tavern tonight in Glendale AZ.

To your left is the poster created by the club. I take no artistic responsibility.

Hope you can come out and see us if you live in Phoenix, Glendale, Tempe, Mesa, Surprise, Anthem, Yuma or just about anywhere in Arizona. Rock show!

The Train Tracks noted:
"God bless Robert Pollard. Without the inspiration of the Guided By Voices frontman we wouldn't have guys like DFactor, graying professionals who like to drink and play power pop for the hell of it. If that sounds even slightly disingenuous, it's not. DFactor's bottomless appetite for all things rock and/or roll make him one of the coolest dudes in the Phoenix music scene. He blogs about Green Day, he tweets about Minus The Bear and he plays the sort of skuzzy, punk-informed garage rock every scene needs. He was lo-fi DIY before lo-fi DIY was cool and we're confident he'll continue on that track long after the kids have moved on to whatever comes next."

Here's the set we're rockin' out these days. Sing along with us later. It's all rock 'n roll to me.

Say Yeah!
Shake It
Head for the Hills
Victory Campaign

Immigration Clampdown
Slashing the Sunlight
Gonna Make you Mine (The Shadows of Knight cover)

Ditch Kids
When I Go Away
See the Perfection
Too Much Regulation

Hope to see you tonight! We go on at 8:30pm sharp!

Ridiculous LP Covers (Huffington Post)

Huffington Post highlights the most ridiculous LP covers ever.
"When Weezer announced last week that their upcoming album "Hurley," would feature nothing but the face of "LOST" castaway Jorge Garcia, we started thinking of all the ridiculous album covers out there. Specifically, record album covers from the past have had some pretty hilarious album artwork and titles. With everything from 7-piece family bands with matching outfits, to creepy puppets and gay dogs, we searched the Internet high and low to find these baffling vinyl covers. Which is the most ridiculous? Take a look and vote for your favorite!"

David Gilmour and Roger Waters - First performance together in five years

[I've never written about or referred to Pink Floyd on Waved Rumor. It did not fit the aesthetic here. But, today, I'll make an exception. Maybe cause I'm tired.]

From Consequence of Sound:
"Back in July, Pink Floyd members Roger Waters and David Gilmour reunited on stage for the first time in five years. Performing at a charity benefit for the Hoping Foundation in Oxfordshire, the legendary rockers tackled a four song set featuring the Phil Spector-penned “To Know Him Is To Love Him” and Pink Floyd classics “Wish You Were Here”, “Comfortably Numb”, and “Another Brick In The Wall (Part II)”. Only 200 attendees witnessed the concert in person and up until now no videos have surfaced. That was until today.

Earlier this evening, the Hoping Foundation posted a video recording of Waters and Gilmour’s complete 28-minute performance online and we now have the video embedded for you below. Albeit not the best of quality, we’ll remind you of the aforementioned fact that this is their first on-stage collaboration in five years. Plus, unless you’re the lucky city picked for the duo’s second promised reunion, this is it… for now. So watch and enjoy."

Hoping Foundation benefit performance from Hoping Foundation on Vimeo.

Cloud Music - music from Google Docs?

IndiemusicTech wrote recently about a new music app that presumably allows iPhone/iPad users to play music from Google Docs. From the blog....

"Cloud Music, a new iPhone/iPod touch/iPad app released yesterday, allows users to play audio files (MP3, MP4 and .WAV) from their Google Docs. For example, you can upload an album from your computer as a folder to your Google docs with a cover image, and you will then see the cover while the album is being played on your iPhone. You can also share your music, and play music shared to you by your friends. It's the latest cloud-based music service I've written about over the past couple of years, and there will be many more to come as there's no doubt this is the music industry's future."

Sounds cool - but user comments at the link are proving otherwise. Has anyone tried this app yet? One might think that with the Google connection, Cloud Music might also be up on the Android platform. I just checked my phone and there *is* an app called Cloud Music (still in private alpha mode) and user comments indicate that it's still a ways form working well. Too bad. Give it a another month or so dev time?

The Majesty of Neil Peart

From the Reuters review of a last weekend's Rush show in Irvine, CA:

"Even as the Rush guys age -- all three are 56 or 57 -- it remains hard to keep your eyes off Peart. Arguably the greatest rock drummer alive, he astounds with his speed, stamina and technique. Indeed, the legions of air drummers in the large crowd created a mini-maelstrom as they tried to keep up. Forget the concept of drum solo as Cretaceous artifact; Rush fans would riot if they didn't get several minutes of Peart to themselves. He eschewed the blocks, bells and chimes of yore, instead fairly battering his drums and cymbals. The overhead-camera shot of Peart doin' work could have stayed on the video screens all night. Note to producers and marketers: Taping an entire concert that way would make a helluva extra for the inevitable DVD of this tour."

Here's what Neil Peart does amazingly well:



Keep up the rock, Rush!

Riotfest Chicago (October 6-10)

On the heels of my post last week about the Chicago punk DVD 'You Weren't There' comes news of Riotfest Chicago, featuring scads of national and Chicago punk greats all razing the town in October. And the week includes a reunion show of the bands who played 'Busted at Oz', the seminal live LP that kicked off Chicago's punk scene (as seen in the DVD). Get your tickets here. $125 includes all 21 shows.

What a lineup! Bad Religion, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Circle Jerks, Naked Raygun (Oz Lineup), Articles of Faith, Cap'N Jazz, Snapcase, Pennwise, Less Than Jake, Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine, The Lawrence Arms, Bouncing Souls, Corrosion of Conformity (Animosity lineup), High on Fire, The Effigies (Original Lineup), Smoking Popes, Anti-Flag, Cro-Mags, Fun, Negative Approach, RedOktoberFest with Propagandhi, Zero Boys, The Bronx, Riverboat Gamblers, Bhopal Stiffs, Off!, The Subverts, The Meatmen, Agnostic Front, Torche, Kylesa, Steve Bjorklund with Articles of Faith (Strike Under set), Off With Their Heads, Brendan Kelly, The Toasters, Roy Ellis aka Mr. Symarip, Silver Abuse, Toothpaste, Mr. T Bone, Easy Action, Shot Baker, The Last Vegas, Cobra Skulls, Eastern Standard Time, The Flatliners, The Copyrights, Banner Pilot, The Dopamines, Have Nots, The Brokedowns, Explode and Make Up, Vultures United, Mother of Mercy, Product of Waste, Green Room Rockers, The Gravetones, Righteous Fool, Skapone, DJ Chuck Wren, The Infected, X Is For Eyes, The Architects, Regrets, Droids Attack, Whut?, No Enemy! and many more to be announced
Congress Theater, House of Blues, Metro, Bottom Lounge, Double Door, Subterranean, Cobra Lounge.

Arcade Fire - The biggest band in America

With the number 1 CD "The Suburbs" in America, Arcade Fire owns this country's music heads. 'The Suburbs' sold 156,000 copies in the United States in its first week. At the band's website, Win Butler, lead singer for the band, wrote:
Holy Crap!
A million thanks to everyone who bought our record this week.
Our minds are truly blown.
Lots of love,
Win

The band finished up a huge week in NYC last week playing Madison Square Garden (you can see highlights from the shows at Arcade Fire Unstaged)

And The New York Times wonders:
"But just as Nirvana’s success prompted fans to wonder whether so-called alternative music had any meaning once it became culturally dominant, Arcade Fire’s No. 1 has raised questions about what it means to be indie."

Oh, that age old question again.... is it still fuckin' indie? Who the fuck cares? When a band this good gets across to a LOT MORE people than the music blogger ghetto, that should Be GREAT news!

And yet, the Arcade Fire IS Indie, in most everything it does! Again, from the NY Times article:
"Ultimately, the most indie thing about Arcade Fire might simply be that it owns its means of production. Unlike most bands, which turn over many of their rights to a record label in exchange for financial support, Arcade Fire owns its music and licenses it to labels around the world."

That is a huge key to its long-term career potential right there! Awesome! The world needs more Arcade Fire and less

Anyway, the band is busy (as Paste Magazine points out) and enjoying the fruits of its labors, which included a stop with the band playing The Daily Show with Jon Stewart with the song "Month of May":

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Exclusive - Arcade Fire - Month of May
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

Interpol without Carlos D

EyeWeekly has a cool piece on Interpol and former bassist Carlos D, from a pre-show chat with Interpol drummer Sam Fogarino. Check it. Here's part it is below.

"As he lazingly smoked a cigarette on the tour bus before tonight’s Kool Haus gig, Interpol drummer Sam Fogarino revealed that the band aren’t on speaking terms with their moustachioed former collaborator.

“I haven’t spoken to him in ages,” Fogarino says. “I think it’s kind of understandable. If you relate it to a romantic relationship — when you spend 10 years together and you finally break up, you’re not gonna be on the phone every day.

“I think it has a lot to do with the phase that we’re in. We’re on tour, and I don’t think he wants to hear about it. [If I said], ‘Hey Carlos, I’m at the Kool Haus in Toronto! You remember that place? I’m on the back of the tour bus.’ He’d probably go, ‘Ughhhh!’"

Fogarino blames the rigors of touring for the timing of Carlos D's exit (“Touring’s a bitch — he didn’t like it”), but he also claims that, as Interpol’s primary arranger, Carlos D had greater musical aspirations than simply picking up the low end.

“Carlos really doesn’t like playing the bass guitar. How integral is the bass to Interpol music? I mean, it’s huge. It’s a total harmonic component. It’s hook-laden. But he really, really didn’t like the bass. It’s not his instrument of choice, and it definitely wasn’t his first instrument.”"

Boston Spaceships - new CD "Our Cubehouse Still Rocks" and Let it Rest a Little While (video)

Just tonight saw for the first time this cool Robert Pollard/Boston Spaceships song and companion cookvideo from late last year. Awesome.

Directed by Todd Lamb. Starring competitive eater Tim Eater X Janus. Tim is the current tamale-, cannoli-, burrito-, and tiramisu-eating champion of the world. Boston Spaceships are Robert Pollard (Guided By Voices), John Moen (Decemberists), Chris Slusarenko (Guided By Voices) On this track they are joined by guest guitarist Peter Buck (R.E.M) and Tommy Keene.



And good news on the Boston Spaceships front - a new CD "Our Cubehouse Still Rocks" comes out on September 7th. You can pre-order it right now at the Factory of Raw Essentials site. The new CD contains this killer pop track called Come on Baby Grace" that's up at Pitchfork for listening/download. And the CD The cover looks like this - everything's clicking for Robert Pollard these days.

The Morlocks Play Chess (Records' classic songs)

LA garage rockers The Morlocks dip back into the time machine of gritty American blues, back to the Chicago Chess Records era with their new CD "The Morlocks Play Chess" out on popantipop records.

From the popantipop blurbsters:
"These Los Angeles garage-rock stalwarts pay their respects with appropriate raucous abandon to one of the most crucial body of recordings in the American popular music canon. The original Chess releases by now-legendary Blues, R&B and Rock ‘n’ Roll artists like Howlin’ Wolf, Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry among others was the primary inspiration to a generation of young British musicians who’d constitute the “British Invasion,” i.e. the Rolling Stones, Yardbirds, Pretty Things and countless others. The Morlocks hope to bring new attention in the 21st century to this powerful and seminal body of work."

I think they do it good - heavy bass man, throaty ripping vocals, menacing guitars and shake down your momma drums - this is the blues your momma's momma warned her about!

Here all the tracks here:
The Morlocks Play Chess by popantipop

The Morlocks are playing around California this month, before heading to Europe for the rest of the year to play their gritty garage rock to the old world kids. See all the tour dates on their MySpace page. Rock!

New Weezer song - Memories

Here's a radio rip of "Memories", the first song to come from the upcoming Weezer 'Hurley' CD, out in a few weeks - it rocks, it throbs, it's anthemic, it's got a great Weezer chorus. I like it - You?

New Music Inbox - Justin Kline, Brass Bed, Dragons Power Up!, Bloody Knives

Waved Rumor gets a lot of emails sent to the address above, from music promo people (thank you! I appreciate it!), fellow musicians with goods to share (usually worthy) and government officials from Namibia informing me of my newfound cash windfall (never fulfilled).

And it's time for me to start to reciprocate more of the goods back to you, my fine readership. So let's slay you with recent forms of pop, shoegaze, post math rock and fuzzy web-connected rock.

Tennesee-based DIY indie popster music maker Justin Kline makes a sweet pop sound, ranging from the lovely harmonies of 2008's "All I Need" to the Cars/XTC-esque sugary pop of "Baby You're a Mess" on his new 2010 EP 'Triangle'. Some of his songs get a little too clever, but overall, it's all well-polished, smartly arranged and well-recorded. You can hear the EP at his Bandcamp site.

=================================================================

LA's Brass Bed kick it out good. It's hardcore pop, recorded in a pale shelter, sung with fits and starts, while the fuzz lingers on every last lost chord. I dig the first song they're offered up 'Pop Mission"
Click to stream "Pop Mission" (right click to save)


"Drawing influences from Television, Big Star, Dukes of the Stratosphere and 60’s pop revivalist acts like the Louisiana rooted Elephant Six Collective, Brass Bed’s Melt White takes on the shape of an album by a very accomplished act. It's difficult to accept that this is the band's first official release, but that's what it is. Drifting effortlessly between abstract noise, swirling guitars and skillfully crafted pop tones, the sound is equal parts classic and modern, ballsy & still sweet? Isn't that the code these days? Recorded in Austin, TX with Danny Reisch at Cacophony Recorders and Good Danny's studios, this album presents the potent live Brass Bed sound on tracks like "Pop Mission" and "Begs Me Not To Beg" and studio playfulness of their early home recordings on "Aria" and "God Save The Thieves"."

Grab a free MP3 by Brass Bed here.

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"Brace for the Bloom" is the new album from St. Paul (Minnesota) band Dragons Power Up!, out on Guilt Ridden Pop. It's original, post-math infused rock 'n roll laced with strichnyne, shot with fusion juice and layered with captive start-stops.

"With roots in early 90s indie rock, their sound marries loose, noisy guitars with a controlled, precise rhythm section, soaring vocals and raw, thoughtful lyricism."
Regular guys making irregular rock, and it's worth hearing. Check out 'Filter Valve' at their Facebook page.

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Music from Austin, TX's Bloody Knives - new LP "Burn it All Down:

Exploding in Sound wrote: "Bloody Knives is a new visceral shoegaze band with a propensity for all encompassing noise blasts and bleeding textures. Preston Maddox’s woozy vocals cut through the rusty storm of guitars, drums, keys, and programming to add contrasting melodic references that will draw you in over and over again. The duo creates a riotous amount of sound, with every nuance carefully placed in the sonic landscape."

Audio Current wrote:
"Bloody Knives are pushing the boundaries of shoegaze with the gusto and fervor of A Place To Bury Strangers circa 2020. Their heavier tracks are overwhelmed by grinding, DFA 1979 bass and dense atmospherics. Preston Maddox’s voice adds an otherworldly element to the duo’s controlled chaos, imagine having a peaceful daydream while caught in the midst of a futuristic battle."

It's massive stuff, certainly not the flavor of the month sounds. But what's with that slightly wobbly (out of tune?) bass line on "Close"? It's cool in a Joy Division disconcerting manner.

You Weren't There - The History of Chicago Punk 1977-1984

Pitchfork surprises me with a blast from my past!



For one week only, Pitchfork is showing the Chicago punk documentary movie You Weren't There - The History of Chicago Punk (1977-1984) about the early days of the late 70s/early 80s Chicago punk scene. Great to see all these names and faces from my semi-wild youth from the Chicago punk and hardcore scene, including The Subverts, Articles of Faith, Naked Raygun, Wax Trax Records, The Effigies, Steve Albini and others.

From the DVD site:
"You Weren't There: A History Of Chicago Punk 1977-1984 looks back on the impact that the Punk movement had on the Windy City. Though overlooked in the annals of Rock history when compared to media-centric Los Angeles, New York, and London, Chicago served as an important early supporter of this burgeoning and controversial scene.

From what is now considered to be the first Punk dance club in America (La Mere Vipere), to proto-hardcore clubs (Oz, O'Banions), and All Ages DIY scene (Centro-Am Hall), Chicagoans made sure that there were outlets for the genre that was often blacklisted by the mainstream local live music scene. This small, but dedicated scene had to endure harassment from the Police, City Hall, Neo-Nazis, and even the audience, as well as making uneasy alliances with the ever-present Chicago criminal underworld. It was a scene that could be violent and unsavory at times,but always tempered with large doses of humor, art, and intelligence."

The opening bit above has a funny bit from Steve and Brian from The Subverts about non-punks calling any punks back then 'Devo' - heck, my college nickname was Devo Dave - it was exactly that. If you didn't dig The Who, you were off the turf a bit. Great fun time to watch it tonight.

You can watch the rest at Pitchfork TV. Click the 'You Weren't There' ad. One week only. Dig it.

Sunday with The Strokes - In Transit

The Strokes returned to the live stage this weekend in Chicago at Lollapalooza, hitting all the high notes for the crowd, according to several show reviews. And with anticipation high for the band's upcoming CD, which will be out in early 2011, it feels like time to wind back the clock about 10 years to when they were on the cusp of something big.

The band filmed their first European tour shenanigans in 2001. It was called 'THE STROKES In Transit'. 'In Transit' which was released to members of the now-dead 'Alone, Together' fan club. It's fun, catching the band giddy with liquor and excitement and hangovers. You know, typical emerging band on early tour stuff! Though there's not a lot of music within, it's a cool glimpse at the Strokes as things were starting to happen for them.







Part 1 is here:


Click these links for Part 2 (which starts with a snippet of GBV's "A Salty Salute" for any of you paying attention anymore), Part 3 (which starts with a snippet of Thunderclap Newman's "Something in the Air" for any of you still paying attention anymore) and Part 4.

Or just click for the whole thing at a Facebook page for the film.

And a live clip of "The Modern Age" from The Strokes' Isle of Wight festival appearance in June 2010:

Rock Clip(s) of the Week - Tom Jones (Then and Now)

Big news from across the pond in recent days has been the near miss of Tom Jones' new CD 'Praise and Blame' j-u-s-t missing the top spot in the British charts (to Eminem at #1) in a bid to become the oldest male singer at #1 in the British charts.

But if you think that Tom Jones was just some schmaltzy 70s chesty haired singer that your dad sings along to sometime, take a peek at these. Watch young Tom when he wanted to be Britain's answer to Elvis Presley. Listen to his singing!

This first clip is from the early 1960s BBC program called "The Beat Room" where Tom Jones leads his band through a smokin' oldie "What I'd Say" and a great song of his called "Chills & Fever".



The second clip is a new cover of John Lee Hooker's "Burning Hell" from the new CD 'Praise and Blame' done up live last month on Jonathan Ross's show - Smash the Devil in his Head, Tom! Do it!



Here's a cool insight into the background behind Jones' new CD from LA Times blog.

New Weezer release 'Hurley' out mid-September

Don't know about you, but I still like me some poppy Weezer around the house. The Raditude CD was fine by these ears. Ok, maybe not the party collaboration with Lil Wayne, but pop goodness with "I Don't Want to Let You Go". I liked it enough so for my rockin' trio to bust out Weezer's "(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To" lots of times in recent rehearsals. Maybe we'll play it live once. What a hook! But I digress.

Weezer has signed to Epitaph Records and is releasing a new CD called "Hurley". (This is gonna be fun for one of my college pals whose last name is, yep, you guessed it, Hurley. I called him "Hurls" he called me "Devonshire". He still does, btw). But I digress, again.

From the Interscope site:
"Yes it's official: Weezer has completed a new album, entitled "Hurley", and it will be out on September 14th on Epitaph Records! This is the 3rd new Weezer album in 3 years, an unprecedented feat for the weez thats reminicent of the olden days in the '60s when bands released new stuff on a tight schedule. In our case its more a matter of striking when the creative iron is hot - and people, its pretty hot!"

Rolling Stone Mag spoke with Head Weez Rivers Cuomo and wrote: "Hurley will focus on the melodies and major chords of traditional '60s pop. In addition to the planned first single "Memories," other new tracks include "Ruling Me" and "Hang On," another pop-rock track that "sounds like Frankie Valli but mixed with Metallica guitars."

So I'm excited to hear it - what about you? Are you done with Rivers' stupid songs? Or is he getting better with age and guitar runs? Drop a note in the comments. In the meantime, here's a classic Weezer track "Islands in the Sun" from 2005's Rock Am Ring music festival in Germany.

The Detroit Breakdown, NYC

So I suppose this is why NYC is known as a music lover's mecca - there's always some sort of music happening, um, happening! Take for instance this mini-fest called The Detroit Breakdown, a festival highlighting music from Michigan, which happened last weekend at Lincoln Center (???) in NYC. A couple reviews about it came out this week and peaked my interest, including the fact that the reincarnated Detroit 70s punk rockers known as Death appeared.

The show included sixties garage icons Mitch Ryder (and his Detroit Wheels) and ? and the Mysterians, iconoclastic rockers The Gories and Death, bluesman Eddie Kirkland, soul singers Melvin Davis and Spyder Turner, Motown hitmakers The Velvelettes and Dennis Coffey and R&B all stars The Party Stompers. Whew! That's some hot summer fun!

The Garage Punk Hideout wrote an awesome review on the show about the differences in style shown by the two headliners Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels and ? and the Mysterians. He wrote:
"The Mysterians included all their original members — five Chicanos who grew up hanging out and playing music with one another. They’re tight and yet have an easy way together. They’ve done all these songs a jillion times, but they still look like they’re having the time of their lives playing them.

Ryder, on the other hand, had a bunch of new players who looked young enough to be his grandkids. These Wheels weren’t even hub when Ryder was tearing up the charts with “Devil in a Blue Dress” and “Jenny Takes a Ride.” All were proficient musicians, but they lacked that warriors’ bond that comes from years on the road."

[Thanks to Corwick4 for the video clips below.]

Here's the band Death:


The NY Times opined:
"Lusty demands still animate the group Question Mark and the Mysterians, whose tootling organ chords in the indelible 1966 hit “96 Tears” suggest Tex-Mex music, but who emerged from Bay City, Mich. Question Mark, once known as Rudy Martinez, was a force of nature onstage. He wore a purple-and-gold fringed, sequined, low-cut bolero shirt and danced nonstop while he sang with nasal intensity, briefly joined by Ronnie Spector and, more surprisingly, Louise Murray from the Jaynetts (for the Jaynetts’ “Sally Go ’Round the Roses”). Although the set included more cover versions than necessary — why not old Mysterians songs? — the band was unstoppable."

Here's ? & the Mysterians doin' a long version of '96 Tears' with a guest singing appearance by legend Ronnie Spector:

Mates of State - "I Will Dare" (Replacements cover)

I'm liking these installments from The Onion AV Club, with bands coming through Chicago stopping into their office/studio to do a cover. This week's clip is the Mates of State doing a cover of the Replacements "I Will Dare". Plus, Brooklyn funnyman/actor Todd Barry on drums! It's all good, especially the trumpet. Paul would be proud.


Mates Of State cover The Replacements

TV Buddhas US Tour, New EP

TV Buddhas are coming, TV Buddhas are coming!
(What?)
Oh, sorry, just got a little excited when I read this:
"TV Buddhas are the self proclaimed kings of geek bubblegum, the kids who prefer to stay at home and watch “Lord of The Rings” than go out and get drunk. The band consists of brother and sister Uri and Mickey Triest, and Mickey’s husband Juval Haring. Their music is heavily influenced by The Ramones, The Replacements and Richard Hell, while their lyrics lean more towards the outsider approach of Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers, directing their own anti-social heat against current day hipsters, Polaroid-glory and loud outgoing fun girls." Sounds good to me!


Originally based in Tel Aviv, but now located in Berlin, the three-piece rock band know as TV Buddhas will Americanize themselves over the course of a non-stop six-week tour of the US this Fall. The band will be supporting a new EP on the We Are Busy Bodies label. You can hear the band's snarly Iggy-styled vocals on the track Let Me Sleep:



This will be the first US tour for TV Buddhas. Treat them kindly in your cities. US tour dates below. [Note: I'm thrilled to have my trio opening for TV Buddhas at their PHX stop on 9/24. We'll kick out the good garage rock.]

TV Buddhas US Tour

09/01 Providence, RI @ Thee Homestead
09/02 Brooklyn, NY @ Don Pedros
09/03 Pittsburgh, PA @ 31st Street Pub
09/04 Baltimore, MD @ Golden West Cafe
09/05 Milford, CT @ Daniel St.
09/06 Philadelphia, PA @ Danger Danger Gallery
09/07 Cleveland, OH @ Now Thats Class
09/08 Bloomington, IN @ The Bishop
09/09 Chicago, IL @ Ronnys Bar
09/10 Milwaukee, WI @ Eagle’s Nest
09/11 Toledo, OH @ Frankies
09/12 Indianapolis, IN @ Melody Inn
09/13 Nashville, TN @ Springwater
09/14 Oxford, MS @ Red Star
09/15 Birmingham, AL @ Magic City Wholesale
09/16 New Orleans, LA @ The Saint
09/17 Houston, TX @ Super Happy Fun Land
09/18 Austin, TX @ Beerland
09/20 Denton, TX @ Rubber Gloves
09/21 Oklahoma City, OK @ The Hi-Lo
09/22 Albuquerque, NM @ TBA
09/23 Tucson, AZ @ Plush
09/24 Phoenix, AZ @ The Rogue Bar
09/26 San Diego, CA @ Bar Pink
09/27 Los Angeles, CA @ The Smell
09/28 San Francisco, CA @ TBA
09/30 Concord, CA @ The Red Hat
10/01 Chico, CA @ Monstros Pizza
10/02 Arcata, CA @ The Alibi
10/03 Portland, OR @ Backspace Cafe
10/04 Vancouver, BC @ TBA
10/05 Seattle, WA @ Comet Tavern
10/06 Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
10/07 Denver, CO @ Unit B
10/08 Lawrence, KS @ Replay Lounge
10/09 St. Louis, MO @ Lemp
10/10 Hot Springs, AR @ The Exchange
10/11 Athens, GA @ TBA
10/12 Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter
10/13 Wilmington, DE @ Mojo 13
10/14 Rochester, NY @ Bugjar
10/15 Toronto, ON @ Parts and Labor
10/16 Hamilton, ON @ Casbah Lounge
10/19 Brooklyn, NY @ Party Expo

Neil Fallon (Jimmy Young?) - Double Rainbow

Kudos to late night talk show host Jimmy Fallon with his inspired tweak on Neil Young and the Double Rainbow phenomena. I like it.

Jenny & Johnny - Scissor Runner

I don't know anything about the music of Jenny Lewis and Johnathan Rice, but was intrigued to read at their Jenny and Johnny Music site that "The material was fast, ultra-melodic, and often blended both of their voices into one, creating a completely new sound." That's worth an ear glance, oui?

The single available for download "Scissor Runner" is a nifty, catchy pop rocker, with Ms. Lewis' lovely harmonies and 2nd lead vocals lifting the verses and choruses to sweeter heights. Musically, the guitars and bass chug along like a mid-tempo Greg Kihn powerpop song, but the vocals help take it to a cooler place. Almost a relaxed New Pornographers sound. Worth your email address, I say.

Here's the song (via YouTube)



The duo heads off on tour in September. Dates below:
09/01 – Santa Cruz, CA @ Rio Theatre
09/02 – San Fransisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
09/03 – Oakland, CA @ The New Parish
09/05 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
09/06 – Seattle, WA (Bumbershoot)
09/08 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The State Room
09/11 – Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room
09/12 – Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Cultural Center
09/13 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
09/14 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
09/16 – Washington DC @ Black Cat
09/18 – Boston, MA @ Agganis Arena
09/19 – Brooklyn, NY @ Williamsburg Waterfront
09/21 – Hoboken, NJ @ Maxwell’s
09/22 – Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero Theatre
09/23 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
09/24 – Athens, GA @ 40 Watt Club
09/25 – Nashville, TN @ Mercy Lounge
10/03 – Hollywood, CA @ Palladium