Monday, July 30, 2012

Sights & Sounds: Aimee Mann, Social Distortion

Aimee Mann
Aimee Mann's long-awaited album Charmer is set for release on Sept. 18, but fans of the artist can pre-order her forthcoming album now. Here is part of the announcement that ran in her newsletter that went out earlier today:

"Influenced by what Mann calls the 'super pop' of the 70s and 80s, Charmer is Aimee's first album in five years. In addition to the stunning single 'Charmer,' the album includes a duet with James Mercer of The Shins called 'Living a Lie.' All MusicToday Charmer pre-orders will get a limited edition print of original art created by Aimee!"

In addition to the upcoming release of Charmer on both audio CD (a package that includes a 16-page booklet) and LP (orange color vinyl/gatefold with a grommeted spinning disk), Mann has also announced a number of fall tour dates. She kicks off her West Coast dates with a Sept. 27, 2012 concert at The Coach House here in Orange County, California.

Other dates include The Fillmore in San Francisco on Sept. 29, Aladdin Theater  in Portland on Oct. 2, the Egyptian Theatre in Boise on Oct. 4, and a special Town Hall date in New York City on Saturday night, Oct. 27.

Visit Aimee's official Web site for more details.


Rolling Stone premieres new animated Social Distortion video

Southern California rock ‘n’ roll heroes Social Distortion have debuted a brand new video on Rollingstone.com for their song “Gimme The Sweet And Lowdown” from their latest album, Hard Times And Nursery Rhymes. The animated video was created by Olya & Vira Ishchuk (known as "The Mad Twins") and loosely celebrates the life of front –man Mike Ness.



To watch the new video, please go to RollingStone.com or go here: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/premiere-social-distortion-get-personal-in-gimme-the-sweet-and-lowdown-20120730


“Working with Olya & Vira Ishchuk (known as "The Mad Twins") was a great experience,” Mike Ness told Rolling Stone. “I mean, to not give any direction whatsoever and have an incredible video delivered to you speaks volumes. Olya & Vira created this animated piece on their own time as a gift to us, and they nailed it – we didn't change a thing. Being able to capture the true essence of the song without our input shows The Mad Twins' artistry, and how talented they truly are. When I was writing "Gimme the Sweet and Lowdown," the idea behind it was a lifestyle gone wrong due to making really bad life decisions. I never intended for it to be autobiographical, but now with this visual, I realize that it actually is more about me than it seemed when I wrote it."


The video comes as the band recently announced North American live dates in further support of their latest album Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes. Beginning in Chicago on October 11th, the band will be performing shows with alt-country Canadian recording artist Lindi Ortega and Atlanta rockers The Biters. Tickets for these shows are on sale now. All on sale times and locations can be found by visiting: SocialDistortion.com.


Since their formation in 1979 in the working class Southern California suburb of Fullerton, Social Distortion have a recharged rock ‘n’ roll sound merging outlaw country, classic punk and swaggering blues. The band’s latest release Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes has been rousing success with critics and fans alike. The album marked the group’s highest chart position thus far entering the Billboard 200 at #4.


Social Distortion Tour Dates On Sale Now:

Oct. 11 Chicago, IL Vic Theatre

Oct. 16 Detroit, MI Royal Oak Music Theatre

Oct. 18 Cleveland, OH House Of Blues

Oct. 19 Cleveland, OH House Of Blues

Oct. 20 Toronto, ON The Sound Academy

Oct. 23 Montreal, QC Metropolis

Oct. 26 New York, NY Roseland Ballroom

Oct. 30 Boston, MA House Of Blues

Nov. 01 Sayreville, NJ Starland Ballroom

Nov. 03 Philadelphia, PA The Electric Factory

Nov. 06 Washington, DC 9:30 Club

Nov. 07 Washington, DC 9:30 Club

Nov. 09 Charlotte, NC The Fillmore Charlotte

Nov. 10 Myrtle Beach, SC House Of Blues

Nov. 11 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle

Nov. 13 Chattanooga, TN Track 29

Nov. 14 New Orleans, LA House Of Blues

Nov. 16 San Antonio, TX Backstage Live



Watch Social Distortion’s video for “Machine Gun Blues” here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otZ1SfwbE64




Sunday, July 29, 2012

Inbox Update: Railroad Revival Tour, Bruce Springsteen

Here are a few items of note to share...

2012 Railroad Revival Tour 'Early Bird Tickets' on sale now


Lineup featuring Willie Nelson, Band of Horses, Jamey Johnson, and John Reilly and Friends 



Railroad Revival Tour is proud to announce today that tickets are on sale for the 2012 American tour. For the second installment of the annual traveling music celebration, RRT has enlisted Willie Nelson & Family, Band of Horses, Jamey Johnson and John Reilly & Friends. Limited early bird discounted tickets are on sale now at www.railroadrevival.com and on the official sites of Willie Nelson, Band Of Horses and Jamey Johnson.

Railroad Revival Tour is an experience that transcends typical music tours and glorifies the historical romance between music and trains under the setting of the great American landscape. This one-of-a-kind U.S. train tour travels town to town aboard 16 vintage 1940s railcars, setting up open air pop-up concert venues in parks and fields adjacent to the railroad tracks where they stop. 

While the tour reminds us of times past, the ticketing process is unequivocally modern. Counter to standard practice, tickets are sold without service fees and fans are rewarded for early purchase with lower prices. Every ticket purchased includes a commemorative laminated boarding pass with an instant download of a four-song tour EP featuring music from each of the tour's artists. This EP includes "Knock Knock," the new single from Band Of Horses. Upgraded ticket packages are available offering collectables and benefits such as a limited edition poster from Nashville's legendary Hatch Show Print and a private viewing area at the venues.

In addition, ticket holders will be admitted to the Railroad Revival General Store, where new and classic albums from tour artists are available in digital, CD and vinyl format at steep discounts. "Big Easy Express," Emmet Malloy's documentary of the 2011 Railroad Revival Tour, is also available for purchase at a very special price. Ticket, film, music and merchandise sales are powered by Topspin Media, with marketing services provided by Topspin Creative Services.

The Railroad Revival Tour has a variety of hotel and ticket packages available on the site for Duluth, Old Town Spring, Tempe, San Pedro and Oakland as well. Visit www.railroadrevival.com for more information.


Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band extend North America tour in support of 'Wrecking Ball'

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band announce sixteen additional dates in the U.S. and Canada for the fall leg of the 'Wrecking Ball' World Tour, which will kick off August 14 at Boston's Fenway Park.

The tour closes out an 11-week European run this week that has included three of the longest shows of Springsteen's career and garnered universal acclaim, being called "gigantic" (Rolling Stone), "thrilling" (The Atlantic) and "the stuff of legend" (Irish Independent). Tickets are currently available for previously announced shows in Moncton, NB (Aug 26); Vernon Downs, NY (Aug 29); Philadelphia, PA (Sept 3); and East Rutherford, NJ (Sept 19).

New 2012 'Wrecking Ball' Dates:October 19 – Ottawa, ON – Scotiabank Place (on sale 8/17, www.capitaltickets.ca)
October 21 – Hamilton, ON – Copps Coliseum (on sale 8/17, 
www.ticketmaster.ca)
October 23 – Charlottesville, VA – John Paul Jones Arena (on sale 9/14, 
www.ticketmaster.com)
October 25 – Hartford, CT – XL Center (on sale 8/10, 
www.ticketmaster.com)
October 27 – Pittsburgh, PA – CONSOL Energy Center (on sale 8/17, 
www.ticketmaster.com)
November 1 – State College, PA – Bryce Jordan Center (on sale 8/04, 
www.ticketmaster.com)
November 3 – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center (on sale 8/17, 
www.ticketmaster.com)
November 11 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center (on sale 8/04, 
www.ticketmaster.com)
November 15 – Omaha, NE – CenturyLink Arena (on sale 8/18, 
www.ticketmaster.com)
November 17 – Kansas City, MO – Sprint Center (on sale 8/03, 
www.axs.com)
November 19 – Denver, CO – Pepsi Center (on sale 8/13, 
www.tickethorse.com)
November 26 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena (on sale 9/28, 
www.ticketmaster.ca)
November 28 – Portland, OR – The Rose Garden (on sale TBD, 
www.rosequarter.com)
November 30 – Oakland, CA – Oracle Arena (on sale 9/21, 
www.ticketmaster.com)
December 4 – Anaheim, CA – Honda Center (on sale TBD, 
www.ticketmaster.com)
December 6 – Glendale, AZ – 
Jobing.com Arena (on sale 9/15, www.ticketmaster.com)

Previously Announced 2012 'Wrecking Ball' Dates:August 14 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park (on sale now, 
www.etix.com)
August 15 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park (on sale now, 
www.etix.com)
August 18 – Foxboro, MA – Gillette Stadium (on sale now, 
www.ticketmaster.com)
August 24 – Toronto, ON – Rogers Centre (on sale now, 
www.ticketmaster.com)
August 26 – Moncton, NB – Magnetic Hill (on sale now, 
www.tickets.moncton.ca)
August 29 – Vernon, NY – Vernon Downs Raceway (on sale now, 
www.ticketmaster.com)
September 2 – Philadelphia, PA – Citizens Bank Park (on sale now, 
www.comcasttix.com)
September 3 – Philadelphia, PA – Citizens Bank Park (on sale now, 
www.comcasttix.com)
September 7 – Chicago, IL – Wrigley Field (on sale now, 
www.tickets.com)
September 8 – Chicago, IL – Wrigley Field (on sale now, 
www.tickets.com)
September 14 – Washington, DC – Nationals Park (on sale now, 
www.tickets.com)
September 19 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium (on sale now, 
www.ticketmaster.com)
September 21 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium (on sale now, 
www.ticketmaster.com)
September 22 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium (on sale now, 
www.ticketmaster.com)

Bruce Springsteen's 'Wrecking Ball' (Columbia) was released in March 2012 and debuted at #1 in the U.S. and 15 other countries.
http://brucespringsteen.net/

Friday, July 27, 2012

Music Worth Buying: Sigur Rós and the Ben Levin Group

On the latest episode of Music Worth Buying, I celebrate the wonderful new Sigur Rós album Valtari – whose English translation is “steamroller” – which is Sigur Rós’s first studio album since 2008’s acclaimed Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust. TJR reviews the latest disc from the Ben Levin Group, Invisible Paradise:

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Inbox Update: Colin Hay, Maia Sharp

My inbox runneth over (of course!), so why not spill some of it here?



Colin Hay to Celebrate ‘Down Under’ 30th Anniversary with global re-release

Newly recorded version of iconic anthem ‘Down Under’ to be used as the centerpiece of Telstra’s Olympic Games Advertising Campaign


Singer-songwriter Colin Hay
A newly recorded version of the iconic Men at Work song “Down Under” will be released globally on Compass Records in celebration of the song’s 30th year anniversary. Colin Hay re-recorded the song without the “Kookaburra” flute line which is the subject of a drawn out and embittered lawsuit in Australia. The track will be released as part of an EP (available on iTunes July 31, 2012) which will include three versions of the song: the newly recorded studio version, a solo acoustic version and a live, solo, story-song version in which Hay humorously describes how he wrote song. The three track EP will be released exclusively through iTunes with the single "Down Under 2012" available through other digital outlets including compassrecords.com


Marketing executives at Telstra, the Australian network provider, tapped the track as the theme for their Olympic games advertising campaign. "Down Under" has been the unofficial anthem of Australian sports since it was adopted by the Australian team during the 1983 America’s Cup which Australia won. Telstra chose "Down Under" as the centerpiece for their campaign in recognition of its unparalleled representation of the Australian national spirit. The campaign features Colin Hay in a series of 30- and 60-second commercials singing the song with groups of various sizes, ranging from people on the street to a children’s chorus up to a football stadium of 60,000. In addition to their TV campaign, Telstra is promoting the song through broadcasters Bigpond, Ninemsn, and worldwide via a social media campaign on Youtube, Facebook, Flikr, and more. Australian TV Channel 9 will also air a 3-minute ‘making of’ video during the Olympics. Compass Records Group will be promoting the release of the digital EP with a “Down Under” trivia contest and social media campaign targeting Hay fans.


In 2009, a multi-million dollar lawsuit was filed by Larrikin Music Publishing against EMI Music Publishing and co-writers Colin Hay and Ron Strykert for allegedly plagiarizing the folk melody “Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree.” Despite overwhelming popular support for Hay, the court ruled that the two-bar flute line did infringe on the original copyright, though ultimately the claimant was rewarded a fraction of what they were seeking. The media attention surrounding this was further heightened this year with the death of Greg Ham, Men at Work co-founder, saxophonist and flute player who played the melody off the top of his head while recording the song.



The current re-release of the song and the simultaneous media campaign will serve as a vehicle for illustrating the integrity of the song. Comments Hay: “Fortunately on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the song Telstra, the communications company, have decided to license "Down Under" and are about to show it on the telly, as well as the cyber-world to hopefully inspire our athletes at the upcoming Olympics. I was happy to help, and along with my friend Dorian West, created a spirited version of the song featuring footballers, pub goers, sailors on the Thames, school kids in Sydney, and, well, you get the idea. This led me to the idea of re-releasing "Down Under 2012" (without the so-called infringing flute line), to re-establish the song in the consciousness of the public, and in so doing, highlight that the power and strength of the song lies in its original words and music. It speaks for itself.“



"Me After You," the lead single from Maia Sharp's Change The Ending, is the most added at Triple A Radio

Change The Ending is out Aug. 28 on Blix Street/Crooked Crown Records

Maia Sharp set to tour with Bonnie Raitt, who guests on two tracks

“Me After You," the poignant first single from acclaimed singer-songwriter-producer Maia Sharp’s upcoming album, Change The Ending, was Most Added at Triple A radio behind Killers, Green Day and Alabama Shakes. “Me After You” is available now at all digital retailers. To hear the song, click on the link below:

http://soundcloud.com/mmmusic/maia-sharp-me-after-you



On August 28, Blix Street/Crooked Crown Records will release Change The Ending, which features guest vocals by The Rescue’s Adrianne Gonzales, Garrison Starr, Dawn Thomas and Bonnie Raitt. Sharp will be touring with Raitt in October and can be heard on the nine-time GRAMMY® winner’s new album, Slipstream. Maia has been previewing songs from Change The Ending on her current tour, which includes a series of dates with Gonzales and Starr. See below for itinerary.


Change The Ending follows Sharp’s 2009 album, Echo. Produced by Don Was, it contained the Top 10 Triple A radio hit “John Q. Lonely” and “Death By Perfection,” which featured Raitt and was tapped by NPR as “Song of the Day.” The new album reaffirms Sharp’s gift for capturing the subtleties and shades of gray that characterize relationships.



Sharp grew up in Los Angeles, where she started playing local clubs while she was still in her teens. She gives a sly wink to her hometown’s biggest industry with the new album’s cover art – which fans can get a sneak preview of at http://maiasharp.com/ or http://www.facebook.com/maia.sharp. Filmmaking provides the perfect metaphor in the title track, as the narrator considers how a romance might have fared with a little rewrite. “It’s a beautiful story,” she observes ruefully in the chorus. “If you change the ending.”



During the recording sessions, Sharp admits, “We did change the ending a few times – and it was always for the better.” After producing Edwin McCain’s latest album, Mercy Bound, as well as two songs for Art Garfunkel’s upcoming double album, The Singer, she elected to produce Change The Ending herself. She assembled a notable crew of musicians to back her, including guitarist Linda Taylor (Tracy Chapman, Edwin McCain), who often accompanies Sharp on the road, drummer Matt Chamberlain (The Wallflowers, Fiona Apple) and bassist David J. Carpenter (John Doe, Toni Childs).



“I had been working with several other artists on their albums and I was just hooked on that whole feeling, so I decided to produce this album alone,” says Maia. “I had to learn to be my own sounding board because I’d finish a vocal and come out and there was nobody else there to go ‘yeah, that was great’ or ‘you really need to do that again.’ But it was a great experience and I learned a lot.”


“Sharp always leads with her heart and comes across as a performer worth getting to know,” said USA Today in a three-star review of Echo while NPR’s “All Things Considered” hailed her as “a songwriter set to arrive” and The Washington Post called her “a sterling up-and-coming talent.”


In addition to her string of acclaimed solo albums and numerous production credits, Sharp is also a sought-after songwriter whose songs have been recorded by Raitt, the Dixie Chicks, Keb’ Mo’, Terri Clark, Cher, Trisha Yearwood and many others.


Maia Sharp – Change The Ending - Track Listing

1. Me After You


2. The Middle


3. Buy My Love


4. I See Cecelia


5. Standing Out In A Crowd


6. Rising


7. Change The Ending


8. Sober


9. Your Stepping Stone


10. The Bed I Made


11. Buy My Love (Remix)


Maia Sharp – Upcoming Tour Dates



8/02 Ann Arbor, MI Acoustic Café



8/02 Ann Arbor, MI The Ark



8/04 Boston, MA WXRV Music Matters Festival w/Scars on 45, Meiko and more



9/08 Los Angeles, CA Room 5 Lounge w/AG & Garrison Starr



9/19 Annapolis, MD Rams Head Tavern w/AG & Garrison Starr



9/20 Pittsburgh, PA Club Café w/AG & Garrison Starr



9/21 Oil City, PA Clarion University-Venango Campus



w/AG & Garrison Starr



9/22 Philadelphia, PA Tin Angel w/AG & Garrison Starr



9/23 Columbia, MD Concerts at the Historic Cooper’s House



w/AG & Garrison Starr



9/24 Vienna, VA Stage-it Show! Live from Vienna, VA



9/25 New York, NY Rockwood Music Hall w/AG & Garrison Starr



9/26 Vienna, VA Jammin’ Java w/AG & Garrison Starr



9/28 Decatur, GA Eddie’s Attic w/AG & Garrison Starr



9/29 Charlotte, NC The Evening Muse w/AG & Garrison Starr



9/30 Asheville, NC Stage-it Show! Live from Asheville, NC



10/2 Boston, MA Berklee College of Music/Lawrence and Alma Berk Hall



(songwriting seminar)



10/3 Cambridge, MA Club Passim w/AG & Garrison Starr



10/4 Ogunquit, ME Jonathan’s w/AG & Garrison Starr



10/5 Crystal Lake, IL The Nashville Backstage Pass

10/18 Clearwater, FL Clearwater Jazz Holiday Fest opening for Bonnie Raitt



10/20 Live Oak, FL Magnolia Music Festival opening for Bonnie Raitt



10/21 Boca Raton, FL Mizner Park Amphitheatre opening for Bonnie Raitt



10/23 Melbourne, FL King Center For The Performing Arts opening for Bonnie Raitt



10/26 Mobile, AL Saenger Theatre opening for Bonnie Raitt



10/27 Columbus, GA RiverCenter Heard Theatre opening for Bonnie Raitt



10/28 Nashville, TN The Ryman Auditorium opening for Bonnie Raitt




Monday, July 23, 2012

Inbox Update: The Knack, New Order

There is plenty of news to share regarding both The Knack and New Order.

Omnivore Recordings set to release The Knack's 'Rock & Roll Is Good For You: the Fieger/Averre Demos' on Sept. 11, 2012


The 16-track CD, also available on clear vinyl, features a collection of rare and unreleased recordings


Omnivore Recordings has announced they will release a new collection of rare and unreleased recordings from Los Angeles power-pop band The Knack on September 11. The Knack Rock & Roll Is Good For You: The Fieger/Averre Demos will be available as a 16-track CD and digital album, as well as a 14-track vinyl LP (the LP will include a download card for the full 16-track CD/digital program). The initial LP run will be issued in a limited-edition run of 1000 pressed on clear vinyl, with future pressings to be made available on black vinyl. In addition, Omnivore Recordings will offer an exclusive LP/7" single vinyl bundle available in a run of 500 copies in their web store only.  The 7" features two unreleased tracks only found on this single("Midnight Misogynist" [recorded 1975] c/w "Lucy Ride" [recorded 1973]). This limited-edition vinyl bundle will be available for pre-order starting immediately at www.OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Complete with previously-unseen photos, liner notes, and sourced from the original 1/4" tapes, Rock & Roll Is Good For You: The Fieger/Averre Demos is a record power-pop fans have not only been waiting for, but will fully embrace.

Fresh off the release of Record Store Day's sold out 10" EP titled Live In Los Angeles, 1978 and full-length album Havin' A Rave-Up! Live In Los Angeles1978, Omnivore Recordings and Zen Records go back even farther in time to tell the story of The Knack. Consisting of demo recordings made in 1973 and 1975, Rock & Roll Is Good For You: The Fieger/Averre Demos takes listeners to the genesis of Doug Fieger and Berton Averre's songwriting and recording partnership - one that lasted nearly four decades until Fieger's tragic passing in 2010.

These 16 tracks are all previously unissued and feature versions of songs known ("Good Girls Don't" and "That's What The Little Girls Do", eventually recorded and released on Get The Knack) and unknown. There are even songs Knack fans will recognize in different versions, reworked or rewritten for later projects. A riff here, a hook there - it's a scavenger hunt for some and a blissful pop experience for others.

The Knack Rock & Roll Is Good For You: The Fieger/Averre Demos is a fascinating look at how Doug's partnership with Berton helped steer a course from a more progressive 70's sound to the power-pop The Knack used to break disco's hold on the airwaves with 1979's "My Sharona."

CD TRACK LISTING:

Rock
  1. Have a Heart
  2. Corporation Shuffle (Daddy Turns The Volume Down)
  3. Good Girls Don't
  4. Little Lies
  5. Flower My Fate
  6. Weiss On Rye (Hold The Mavo)
  7. You'll Never Know
  8. That's What The Little Girls Do

Roll
  1. Get On The Plane
  2. (Here On This) Lonely Night
  3. Lazer Days
  4. The Other Side (Of The Line)
  5. Who'll Set You Down
  6. Mama I Feel Your Sadness
  7. What Ya Gonna Do Now?
  8. Rock & Roll Is Good For You 
Tracks 1-6, and 11-12 recorded in 1975
 Tracks 7-10 and 13-16 recorded in 1973
* All tracks previously unissued

THE KNACK ROCK & ROLL IS GOOD FOR YOU: THE FIEGER/AVERRE DEMOS
LP TRACK LISTING:

SIDE ONE: "Rock"
  1. Have A Heart
  2. Corporation Shuffle (Daddy Turns The Volume Down)
  3. Good Girls Don't
  4. Little Lies
  5. Weiss On Rye (Hold The Mavo)
  6. You'll Never Know
  7. That's What The Little Girls Do
SIDE TWO: "ROLL"
  1. Get On The Plane
  2. (Here On This) Lonely Night
  3. Lazer Days
  4. Who'll Set You Down
  5. Mama I Feel Your Sadness
  6. What Ya Gonna Do Now?
  7. Rock & Roll Is Good For You
Side One - Tracks 1-5 recorded 1975, tracks 6 & 7 recorded 1973
 Side Two - All tracks recorded 1973 except track 3 recorded 1975
* LP includes download card containing full 16-track CD/digital program
Omnivore Recordings official website: http://omnivorerecordings.com/




New Order schedules more tour dates

In the wake of a sell-out United Kingdom tour and a series of festival dates throughout Europe this spring and summer, New Order has now confirmed their first dates in North America since 2005. In a statement, singer Bernard Sumner said: "We've been having such a great time together this year, playing shows all over Europe, and we're all really excited to be playing America again. We have so many friends and fans there we can't wait to get back!"


New Order's last U.S. show was New York's Hammerstein Ballroom in May 2005 and their last visit to Canada was in 2001.

The band features original members Bernard Sumner (vocals/guitar), Stephen Morris (drums), Gillian Gilbert (keyboard/guitar), plus Phil Cunningham (guitar/keyboards) and Tom Chapman (bass) in place of Peter Hook who acrimoniously left the band. I was fortunate to catch New Order when they performed at Coachella in 2005.

New Order tour dates

5 OCT...SAN FRANCISCO...Oakland Fox Theatre
7 OCT...LOS ANGELES...Greek Theatre
10 OCT...DENVER...Broomfield 1st bank Center
12 OCT...DALLAS...Palladium
18 OCT...NEW YORK CITY...Roseland
21 OCT...CHICAGO...Aragon Ballroom
23 OCT...TORONTO...Sony Center

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Micky Dolenz premieres new 'Remember' tracks on 'Breakfast With the Beatles'

Micky Dolenz, seen her performing in Costa Mesa last week
I love to listen to Chris Carter's "Breakfast With the Beatles" radio show broadcast over KLOS (95.5 FM) on Sunday mornings. On today's show, Monkees drummer-singer Micky Dolenz discussed a wide range of topics including his role on the popular late 1960s NBC-TV series, touring with Jimi Hendrix, the unlikely cult status of the band's 1968 feature film Head, and sitting in on a recording session as part of 1967's Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band when the Fab Four recorded "Good Morning Good Morning." It was also touching to hear Micky discuss his friendship with the late Davy Jones, who passed away on Feb. 29.

Among the highlights of Micky's appearance across a number of lengthy segments on the radio show was his announcement for his next full-length album, Remember (set for release on Sept. 25, 2012) and the premiere of several tracks off the forthcoming disc. He described the project as an "Audio scrapbook of my life," and noted he will be performing a version of Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode" (the song he used to audition for his role on The Monkees), a country-styled take on "I'm a Believer" and a totally-reworked rendition of the Beatles' "Good Morning Good Morning." His version of "Good Morning Good Morning" was played on the radio show and blended flamenco and Renaissance musical styles with Lennon's iconic lyrics and melody.

The first single off Remember is a new rousing recording of "Randy Scouse Git," one of his earliest original songs and a standout on the Monkees' Headquarters (1967) album. The new version is more lushly arranged and features Micky's strong voice. I can't wait to hear the album with its release in a couple of months.

You can read my review of Micky's performance last weekend as part of the current Happy Together Tour that ran in The Orange County Register here.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Sights and Sounds: Ray Bradbury remembered at Comic-Con, Dead Sara to tour with Neon Trees and the Offspring

I'm happy to see Rock 'n' Roll Truth isn't the only music-focused site that ran a tribute to the late great author Ray Bradbury. I was at Comic-Con in San Diego last weekend, but was only able to score a ticket for Sunday so really only got to check out the floor (no RiffTrax, no PSYCH, no Star Wars, no Firefly, no Hobbit or much of anything of interest to me in terms of panels on that final day of the event).

Check out the nice post related to events (I sadly missed) regarding Ray Bradbury on Owl and the Bear here.

In music news, Dead Sara has announced a North American Tour with Neon Trees and the Offspring. Here is the media release:


Dead Sara has announced a new North American tour with renowned punk rockers The Offspring kicking off August 31st in Detroit, with Neon Trees slated to join the tour beginning September 6th in Boston. To further support the recent release of Dead Sara's self-titled debut album, the band has also added further U.S. and festival dates through the summer and into the fall including the Sunset Strip Music Festival in Los Angeles, Riot Fest in Chicago and the Epicenter Festival in Irvine. Dead Sara have been attracting major buzz for the ferocious spectacle of their high-octane live performances on The Vans Warped Tour earlier this summer.

Revolver says "the buzz around LA-based hard-rock outfit Dead Sara is reaching fever pitch" and indeed it is. The group has been earning accolades from radio and critics alike, while winning over fans coast-to-coast on previous tours with Chevelle, The Used, and now The Vans Warped Tour. Rolling Stone recalled the band "blending blues, hard rock and punk into a whirling energy," with The Village Voice going on to illustrate them as a "sort of twisted-blues hard rock that feels like the product of people really enjoying playing the shit out of their instruments," adding "If there's any justice, especially in this year when the word 'rock' signifies a genre that is in flux enough so as to be anyone's game, Dead Sara will stake their claim as a new kind of standard-bearer."

"We're super excited to have Dead Sara out on tour with us," said Dexter Holland, The Offspring. "Great players, great songs.  We'll be getting there early to see them tear it up."   

The "L.A. quartet poised to breakout nationally" this year, was recently profiled by RollingStone.com as their debut single "Weatherman" continues to explode at radio, fast becoming the most requested song at stations across the country, and climbing its way up the charts. "Dead Sara rocks so hard they remind me of the days when alternative bands, like Soundgarden and Alice, got played on Headbangers Ball. See them, listen to the album, they never disappoint," says Julie Pilat of 98.7 KYSR. Dead Sara recently made their network television debut with a blistering, energetic performance of the single "Weatherman" on Jimmy Kimmel Live! The band also performed the album cut "Sorry For It All" as an online exclusive for Jimmy Kimmel Live! View both videos now online.

Dead Sara's 11-track self-titled debut, produced by Noah Shain (Atreyu, As Tall As Lions, Sonny Moore/Skrillex), is driven by the dynamic duo of two talented young women, singer Emily Armstrong and guitarist Siouxsie Medley. The band is rounded out by bassist Chris Null and drummer Sean Friday, creating an electrifying four-piece rock band whose supercharged music is propelled by Medley's exhilarating, monster guitar riffs and Armstrong's powerful, wailing vocals. Praised for their blazing impassioned rock and catchy guitar melodies, Dead Sara embody everything you want from a young, hungry, unpredictable and enigmatic rock band.

DEAD SARA CONFIRMED TOUR DATES:

DATE                                    VENUE                                                CITY/STATE
August 11                        Birch Run Expo Center                 Birch Run, MI
(WWBN Dirt Fest featuring: Clutch, Chiodos, In This Moment, Hurt, Royal Bliss and more)

August 18                        Sunset Strip Music Festival          Los Angeles, CA
(with Marilyn Manson, The Offspring, Steve Aoki, Bad Religion, De La Soul, Black Label Society and more)

August 23                        Knitting Factory/KQXR show        Boise, ID
August 24                        Knitting Factory/KHTQ show        Spokane, WA
August 30                        On The Waterfront Festival           Rockford, IL         w/The Offspring
August 31                        The Fillmore                                Detroit, MI            w/The Offspring
September 2                    Echo Beach (MCA)                      Toronto, ON          w/The Offspring
September 6                    House of Blues                            Boston, MA          w/The Offspring, Neon Trees
September 8                    Sands Bethlehem Events Ctr.       Bethlehem, PA     w/The Offspring, Neon Trees
September 9                    Stone Pony Summer Stage          Asbury Park, NJ   w/The Offspring, Neon Trees
September 11                  Lupo's                                         Providence, RI     w/The Offspring, Neon Trees
September 14                  Congress Theatre/Riot Fest          Chicago, IL
September 15                  DC101 Kerfuffle                           Bristow, VA
(with The Offspring, Sublime with Rome, Garbage, Anberlin, and Foxy Shazam)

September 15                   The Fillmore/WEND show           Charlotte, NC
September 19                   Terminal 5                                 New York, NY        w/The Offspring, Neon Trees
September 20                   Terminal 5                                 New York, NY        w/The Offspring, Neon Trees
September 22                   Verizon Wireless                        Irvine, CA
(Epicenter Festival featuring: Stone Temple Pilots, Deftones, Bush, Scars on Broadway, Chevelle and more)

September 27                   Fillmore Auditorium                     Denver, CO          w/The Offspring, Neon Trees
September 29                   Gallivan Center/X96 Show           Salt Lake City, UT
October 2                         San Jose Event Center               San Jose, CA
November 10                    London Alexandra Palace            London, UK          w/Vans Warped Tour
           
                                   
Visit Dead Sara online at: www.DeadSara.com



Check out their videos on YouTube: www.YouTube.com/DeadSaraTheBand