The Fixx performs timeless classic and new material at the Coach House




Cy Curnin led the Fixx throughout a mighty 90-minute performance at the Coach House on July 18, 2012.

  There is little doubt that lovers of ‘80s music were in the right place if they were at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on Wednesday night (July 18, 2012). Not only did the Fixx headline, but both show openers boasted sounds in sync with the popular modern rock sounds of that decade during their respective sets.


The Fixx’ best songs from the ‘80s and early ‘90s retain their relevance and power decades after their original release – and what’s more – the quintet’s performance of those songs on the opening night of its U.S. tour reflected an outfit whose musical powers remain fully intact.

Jamie West-Oram displayed his talents.

After opening with “Red Skies,” singer Cy Curnin noted “It’s always good to be back at the Coach House, and explained that the group was going to be featuring songs off their new album Beautiful Friction (released July 17) and then play early material after that. Discerning listeners were then treated to a number of the outstanding songs from Beautiful Friction, including the fiery “Anyone Else” (a song inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement) which showcased Curnin’s still-mighty voice and guitarist Jamie West-Oram’s dazzling fret work. The hypnotic “Just Before Dawn” featured a grooving bass line from Dan K. Brown that was only overshadowed with the song’s grand finale, with West-Oram again demonstrating his artful approach with power and flair.

Later, the band rocked with “Take a Risk,” a powerful blues-rocker that somehow flowed perfectly into the aptly-titled “Beautiful Friction.”

Fixx fans seemed genuinely impressed with the new material, but obviously couldn’t wait to hear old favorites. The last half of the show offered commanding versions of the group’s heavyweight material, including a potent “Driven Out,” dance-minded “One Thing Leads to Another” and pulsating “Stand Or Fall,” the latter featuring keyboardist Rupert Greenall’s outstanding playing. "Saved by Zero" was also very powerful, with Curnin and West-Oram positioned at the front of the stage together as an extended version of the song came to a fiery and rocking close. It was a perfect finish to the regular set.

The encore yielded even more hits, with the Fixx closing out with the crowd on its feet throughout the heavy grooves of “Deeper and Deeper,” “Are We Ourselves?” (complete with Curnin acting out many of the song’s lyrics with a graceful use of his hands) and an extended take on “Secret Separation.”

Greg Craycraft of the Reflexx.

The Reflexx is one of Southern California’s best (and best known) ‘80s tribute bands and demonstrated why during an energetic 35-minute set. The talented trio (singer-guitarist Greg Craycraft, keyboardist Alex Medina and drummer Russ Simms) was able to deliver mostly-faithful versions of well-known hits but do so in a way where the songs were embedded with the energy of a modern rock outfit. In fact, the group’s rendering of “I Ran (So Far Away)” bested the version I saw Flock of Seagulls perform a few years back, and an even stronger version of Simple Minds’ “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” had several concertgoers on their feet dancing and many more singing along. Visit the band's official Web site by clicking here.

Opening the night, Orange County’s own Hyena Motorcade performed a 30-minute set that definitely recalled a Gothic rock sound positioned somewhere between the Psychedelic Furs and early Cure. The quartet didn’t provide much dynamic range in each song so that even when a tune would begin with a driving beat and interesting guitar work, it would ultimately lose power as it went along.
 
A special big thanks to Bob Steshetz for the use of the wonderful photos he took last night. Check out his photography and writing at his official Bob By Request site here.

Inbox Update: Other Lives, Benjamin Gibbard, Harry Taussig

Here are highlights of a number of notable releases that have landed in my inbox this week...

Other Lives premiere "Tamer Animals" (Atoms For Peace Remix) on Pitchfork

Having wrapped up a successful spring tour, including dates supporting Radiohead, Other Lives are pleased to announce a new remix of their single "Tamer Animals" by Atoms For Peace. Listen to the premiere of "Tamer Animals" (Atoms For Peace Remix) on Pitchfork now. Vinyl & digital release of the remix will be available August 6, 2012 on 50 Weapons. Other Lives are currently on tour in the UK & will be heading off to Japan & China in August before returning to the US & Canada for a full tour this fall with supporting act Indians. Look out for a new Other Lives EP this fall on tbd records (US) / PIAS (Worldwide).

Click here to watch "Tamer Animals" video on Pichfork.

Here are the band's fall tour dates:

10.19 - Fox Theatre - Boulder, CO

10.20 - Urban Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT

10.22 - Pink Garter Theatre - Jackson, WY

10.23 - Top Hat - Missoula, MT

10.25 - Neptune Theatre - Seattle, WA

10.26 - Electric Owl - Vancouver, BC

10.27 - Wonder Ballroom - Portland, OR

10.29 - Harlow's - Sacramento, CA

10.30 - Great American Music Hall - San Francisco, CA

11.01 - Don Quixote's - Felton, CA

11.02 - Soho - Santa Barbara, CA

11.03 - El Rey Theatre - Los Angeles, CA

11.04 - The Casbah - San Diego, CA

11.05 - The Crescent Ballroom - Phoenix, AZ

11.08 - Sons Of Hermann Hall - Dallas, TX

11.10 - Fitzgerald's-Upstairs - Houston, TX

11.12 - Bottletree - Birmingham, AL

11.13 - 3rd & Lindsley - Nashville, TN

11.15 - Gabe's - Iowa City, IA

11.16 - Cedar Cultural Center - Minneapolis, MN

11.17 - Turner Hall - Milwaukee, WI

11.19 - The Pyramid Scheme - Grand Rapids, MI

11.20 - Magic Stick Lounge - Detroit, MI

11.21 - Beachland Ballroom & Tavern - Cleveland, OH

11.23 - Horseshoe Tavern - Toronto, ON

11.24 - Cabaret Mile-End - Montreal, QC

11.26 - Space Gallery - Portland, ME

11.27 - Paradise Rock Club - Boston, MA

11.28 - Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY

11.29 - Music Hall of Williamsburg - Brooklyn, NY

11.30 - Rock and Roll Hotel - Washington, D.C.

12.01 - Johnny Brenda's - Philadelphia, PA

12.03 - Brillobox - Pittsburgh, PA

12.04 - The Basement - Columbus, OH

12.07 - Schubas Tavern - Chicago, IL

12.08 - Lincoln Hall - Chicago, IL



Benjamin Gibbard to release debut solo album 'Former Lives' on Oct. 16, 2012

Death Cab For Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard is set to release his debut solo record in fall of 2012. Former Lives will be released on October 15, 2012 in the UK/Europe (City Slang) and October 16th in North America (Barsuk). The 12 tracks were written over the course of eight years but didn’t find their fully realized form until the songwriter moved from his native Seattle down to Los Angeles. The album was recorded at longtime pal Aaron Espinoza’s (Earlimart) studio, The Ship. Limited touring will follow the release of the album.

Information: http://www.benjamingibbard.net/




Tompkins Square releases American primitive guitar pioneer Harry Taussig's first album in 47 years

'Fate Is Only Twice' available on CD/LP/DL on Aug. 21, 2012

Released as a short-run private press LP in 1965, Fate Is Only Once has long been a coveted collectible among American Primitive guitar enthusiasts. The album presages the broader movement. Acoustic musicians were still largely stuck in a rigid "Folk" mindset in 1965, and there are just not that many other examples of the exploratory guitar sounds found on 'Fate' during this time period. Alternating between haunting originals and jaunty blues-based traditional numbers, this absurdly rare LP was reissued by Tompkins Square in 2006. Taussig's only other recorded works appear on the long out-of-print Takoma compilation 'Contemporary Guitar Spring '67' alongside John Fahey, Robbie Basho, Max Ochs and Bukka White. Taussig spent years as an educator, published instructional guitar books, and traveled extensively to photograph weird museums.



Amazingly, he returns with his first album in 47 years, appropriately titled Fate Is Only Twice. The same stark, smoldering playing is evident, all the humor and inventiveness intact.


Available on LP (TSQ2738), CD (TSQ2745) and DL on August 21, 2012.

Tompkins Square is distributed by INgrooves/ Fontana in the US, Cargo UK for Europe, FUSE for Australia/NZ.

For more information on Tompkins Square releases, click here.

New Bob Dylan album 'Tempest' set for September release

As long-time fans of rock know, 2012 has been an interesting year. At the beginning of the year, much was made about a much-discussed 50th anniversary disc from the Rolling Stones. Well, as we all know by now, that hasn't happened (at least not yet).

But the good news is that the Beach Boys have issued a surprisingly strong disc (That's Why God Made the Radio was released in June) in celebration of their 50th anniversary, while I'm even a bigger fan of outstanding 30th anniversary releases from ASIA (XXX) and the Fixx (Beautiful Friction, which is available today from Kirtland Records).

Now today comes word that the great Robert Allen Zimmerman - better known as Bob Dylan - is set to release Tempest on Sept. 11. It has been 50 years since the release of Dylan's debut album.

Here is the official media release and artwork of Tempest. Can't wait to hear it!

Collection of Ten New Bob Dylan Songs Marks Musician's 50th Anniversary as a Recording Artist

NEW YORK, July 17, 2012 -- Columbia Records announced today that Bob Dylan's new studio album, Tempest, will be released on September 11, 2012. Featuring 10 new and original Bob Dylan songs, the release of Tempest coincides with the 50th Anniversary of the artist's eponymous debut album, which was released by Columbia in 1962.




Tempest is available for pre-order now on iTunes http://smarturl.it/tempestitunes and Amazon http://smarturl.it/tempestamazon. The new album, produced by Jack Frost, is the 35th studio set from Bob Dylan, and follows 2009's worldwide best-seller, Together Through Life.


Bob Dylan's four previous studio albums have been universally hailed as among the best of his storied career, achieving new levels of commercial success and critical acclaim for the artist. The Platinum-selling Time Out Of Mind from 1997 earned multiple Grammy Awards, including Album Of The Year, while Love and Theft continued Dylan's Platinum streak and earned several Grammy nominations and a statue for Best Contemporary Folk album.


Modern Times, released in 2006, became one of the artist's most popular albums, selling more than 2.5 million copies worldwide and earning Dylan two more Grammys. Together Through Life became the artist's first album to debut at #1 in both the U.S. and the UK, as well as in five other countries, on its way to surpassing sales of one million copies.


Those four releases fell within a 12-year creative span that also included the recording of an Oscar- and Golden Globe-winning composition, "Things Have Changed," from the film Wonder Boys, in 2001; a worldwide best-selling memoir, Chronicles Vol. 1, which spent 19 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller List, in 2004, and a Martin Scorsese-directed documentary, No Direction Home, in 2005. Bob Dylan also released his first collection of holiday standards, Christmas In The Heart, in 2009, with all of the artist's royalties from that album being donated to hunger charities around the world.

This year, Bob Dylan was the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country's highest civilian honor. He was awarded a special Pulitzer Prize in 2008 for "his profound impact on popular music and American culture, marked by lyrical compositions of extraordinary poetic power." He was also the recipient of the French Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres in 1990, Sweden's Polar Music Award in 2000 and several Doctorates including the University of St. Andrews and Princeton University as well as numerous other honors.


Information: http://www.bobdylan.com/

'Happy Together Tour' brings Summer of Love nostalgia to Pacific Amphitheatre

My Happy Together Tour review originally ran on The Orange County Register Soundcheck blog on Sunday, July 15, 2012.

Pacific 2012: Happy Together Tour's nostalgia trip back to Summer of Love clicks with cheering fans

With ’60s hit-makers from the Turtles and Monkees lead singer Micky Dolenz (seen on the right) to the Grass Roots, the Buckinghams and Gary Puckett all teaming up for the Happy Together Tour this summer, it’s no surprise that a near-capacity crowd gathered at Pacific Amphitheatre Saturday (July 14, 2012) to catch the fun-spirited, relatively inexpensive event on a beautiful summer evening.



What’s not to like about a two-hour show during which several dozen bona fide classics of the era, staples of oldies radio, are performed with gusto by some of the decade’s marquee names?

The success of the event, with stops in 42 cities this year, is simple. The Turtles, led by founding singers Mark Volman (seen on the left performing a bit of tambourine juggling) and Howard Kaylan (better known as Flo & Eddie), headline a roster that one by one plays a handful of hits. At the end of the night, the lineup comes together as a single ensemble to perform each act’s biggest smash, upping the excitement even more.


The formula worked Saturday. And while there was a touch of sadness during Dolenz’s heartfelt tribute to Davy Jones (who died Feb. 29), the atmosphere of the fast-paced evening was mostly about good vibes, celebrating the spirit of the ’60s and its enduring music.


That said, the Turtles threw most of the crowd into an amusing (if temporary) state of bewilderment when they performed a bit of Frank Zappa’s groundbreaking instrumental gem “Peaches en Regalia” (the vocalists worked with the innovative iconoclast at the turn of the ’70s).


But Kaylan and Volman redeemed themselves with faithful fans by offering up shining versions of their staples for this delighted audience, including their cover of Bob Dylan’s “It Ain’t Me, Babe” and subsequent singles from the group, including “You Baby,” “Elenore” and “She’d Rather Be with Me.” Naturally they had the crowd on their feet for the finale, a rousing version of the tour’s namesake, “Happy Together.”


Dolenz’s appearance in Costa Mesa came almost a year to the day since the Monkees’ final show in Los Angeles as part of their 45th anniversary tour. The actor-turned-singer, who calls Southern California home, may well have had that in mind during his spirited set here.


Performing most of the hits he sang with the Monkees – “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone,” “She,” “Last Train to Clarksville,” “Pleasant Valley Sunday” – he also took a well-timed detour midway through his set to acknowledge the recent loss of Jones, who he noted was like a brother to him.


He then effortlessly sang one of Jones’ signature tunes, the John Stewart-penned “Daydream Believer,” while video screens projected a number of photos of Davy and the rest of the Monkees to powerful effect. Dolenz ended things on a brighter note, however, leading the standing crowd through a rousing take on “I’m a Believer.”


Those sets shone brightest on Saturday (along with the backing band’s drummer, Steve Murphy), yet there was little shortage of singalongs to keep people tuned in all evening.


The Buckinghams, much like the Monkees and the Turtles, had a big Summer of Love, and the Chicago-spawned group brought back that fabled year of 1967 with strong versions of “Kind of a Drag,” “Don’t You Care” and “Susan.” There also was little doubt that the crowd loved the uptempo mix of soul and psychedelic rock from the Grass Roots. “Let’s Live for Today,” “Midnight Confessions” and “Temptation Eyes” were among the standouts that garnered strong cheers.


And while Puckett’s once-glorious voice is no longer always a thing of beauty, he did prove to be an energetic and engaging performer during his five-song turn. Opening with “Lady Willpower,” he had many fans clapping and moving to the beat during his takes on “Woman, Woman” and “Young Girl.”

The Fixx returns as resonant as ever

The Fixx - singer Cy Curnin (top center) says the Fixx has stayed together for more than 30 years because "it's really a deep friendship. We know how to argue with each other."

With the world mired in an ongoing financial crisis, it’s little surprise that the Fixx, ’80s-spawned rockers who have always featured material revolving around political topics, would return in 2012 fueled by such matters, leading the quintet to create one of its best-ever albums, Beautiful Friction.


Set for release on Tuesday (July 17, 2012) by Kirtland Records, the disc is the Fixx’ first studio album since 2003’s Want That Life. The British band launches a U.S. tour in support of it with a headlining concert Wednesday, July 18, at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, bringing the group back to O.C. after a memorable performance at Jack’s 5th Show at Irvine’s Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in September 2010.


Beautiful Friction is the outfit’s 10th assortment of new material overall and arrives 30 years after the release of their official debut, 1982’s Shuttered Room, which established the Fixx stateside with the hits “Stand or Fall” and “Red Skies.”


Anyone who listens to those staples of the New Wave era – or any of their other singles from back in the day, like “Saved by Zero,” “Are We Ourselves,” “One Thing Leads to Another” and “Deeper and Deeper” – knows that the members of the Fixx have worn their politics on their collective sleeve from the start. Indeed, the band’s “How Much Is Enough?” (which peaked at No. 35 on Billboard’s Hot 100 back in late 1991) could well be a fight song for the Occupy Wall Street movement decades later.



“The last few years we were doing a lot of live shows and just didn’t feel the binge to put new music out,” says singer Cy Curnin, “and then all of a sudden, about three or four years ago, things went pear-shaped out there in society, and that’s what I feed on (as a songwriter). There was a financial crisis and there were people starting to ask big questions and politicians didn’t seem so squeaky-clean.”


What is so remarkable about the Fixx is not only that its original lineup – including guitarist Jamie West-Oram, keyboardist Rupert Greenall, drummer Adam Woods and bassist Dan K. Brown – is impressively still together, but also how relevant the group’s songs sound today.



When they performed the 1988 hit “Driven Out” at Verizon in 2010, casual fans might have mistaken that burning track’s environmental-minded lyrics for those of a freshly-penned songs: “Driven out by thieves / I watch them pillage the planet / Fueled by a fattening greed / Trees fall to the hatchet.”


Curnin is proud his material has held up, although he wishes more of the problems he’s addressed over the years would have been solved by now.


“Each artist or each writer has their own slant on things. Mine is that social backdrop of the mechanics of how we surrender our own dream-time to be part of a system that is managed by people that who aren’t as godlike as they should be,” he said by phone from London, where the band was preparing for this coming tour.

“The relevance (of Fixx songs) has stayed there because it’s never been sorted out, and it’s an ongoing thing whenever you have a credit-based system and you have politicians (serving) on multiple terms. I really believe in one-term elections and flat tax rates and that type of stuff.”

Beautiful Friction features a wealth of songs that showcase the band’s lyrical bite along with other well-crafted originals that blend rich textures and melodic elements set around Curnin’s distinctive tenor. The driving anthem “Anyone Else,” luxuriant “Second Time Around” and blistering “What God?” are among the highlights from an 11-cut album written and recorded over a span of about three years.


“We didn’t know it would work out as well as it did because we have different lives now, we have children,” Curnin explained of the process. “We have to book certain weekends together. Like once a month we would work for four days and when we would work we would come up with three or four songs. And after the time when we would break up and go back to our lives, if the song stayed with you, it was a good sign; if it didn’t stay with you, it would fall apart.”



Curnin says everyone in the Fixx is grateful to still be playing together after so many years.


“I’ll tell you what: We’re actually enjoying it more than ever. Because when we turn around on stage and we catch each other’s eyes we know we’re still (expletive) doing it! And still getting the same buzz. It’s almost like wine. Wine improves in the bottle and it gets better with age, and I think music does, too.


“It’s only the fact that the industry in music – “out with the old, in with the new” – it wasn’t designed to let people in on the fact that you could grow older with an artist and this artist was going to get better. That’s what we discovered, because we’re still doing it and enjoying it … that is where your wisdom comes through, you know?”


Curnin acknowledges that much of the power of the Fixx lies in its relationship with fans as well as each other.


“You know what it is – it’s really a deep friendship. We know how to argue with each other. In fact, it’s not arguing anymore – it’s just adding to the soup and getting the ingredients right. We do genuinely love each other like brothers. We respect each other like elders. And yet we’ve been through so much together, there are so many unsaid (things). We only need a wink and a nod and it says so much in this band.”


The Fixx, with opening acts the Reflexx and Hyena Motorcade, play Wednesday, July 18, at the Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, in San Juan Capistrano. Tickets are $20. Also catch the band July 19 at Brixton in Redondo Beach and July 21 in L.A.’s Pershing Square.

Music Worth Buying: Phantom of the Paradise, Yellow Submarine

On the latest episode of Music Worth Buying we celebrate two of our favorite music movies including Phantom of the Paradise and Yellow Submarine:

Inbox update: Peter Gabriel, Gary Moore, Band of Horses

It's getting a little closer to Friday, right? Here is some good (make it GREAT) news to help you make it until the weekend. Fans of Peter Gabriel, Gary Moore and Band of Horses all have something to celebrate with exciting future releases announced...

Eagle Rock Entertainment to release Peter Gabriel's 'Classic Albums: So' on DVD, Blu-ray and digital on Sept. 18, 2012

On September 18, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release Classic Albums: So, the next instalment in their Classic Albums series on DVD and Blu-ray. 

This release tells the story behind the making of Peter Gabriel’s 1986 album So. It was his fifth solo album and the first one to have a title (all others were self-titled). The album spawned a number of hit singles on both sides of the Atlantic including “Sledgehammer,” “Big Time,” “Don’t Give Up,” (a duet with Kate Bush) and “In Your Eyes” which drove So to multi-platinum sales, the No.1 spot in the UK and No.2 in the US.

The acclaimed Classic Albums series is a definitive collection of the stories behind the albums that form the soundtrack to our lives. Made with the full authorization and co-operation of the artists, Classic Albums: So offers contributions from many of those involved in the making of the album and the landmark videos.  Those featured include Peter Gabriel himself, co-producer Daniel Lanois, engineer Kevin Killen and musicians Jerry Marotta, Laurie Anderson, Tony Levin and Manu Katché and many more.

So was very much an album of the MTV generation and the distinctive videos for tracks like “Sledgehammer,” “Red Rain,” “Big Time,” and “Don’t Give Up” were key factors in the album’s success.  A special re-mastered version of the classic album So will be released by Real World/EMI in September 2012 on CD, triple CD and a super deluxe box set.

Classic Albums: So offers a unique perspective on the motivations behind – and the actual creation of – this masterwork and contains as Bonus Features more than 30 minutes of additional material not included in the broadcast version.  This release is not to be missed.

Eagle Rock Entertainment is the largest producer and distributor of music programming for DVD, Blu-Ray, TV, Audio and Digital Media in the world.  Eagle works directly alongside talent to produce top quality, High Definition and 3D programs, both concerts and documentaries, including The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Who, Queen, The Doors, Jeff Beck, U2, Peter Gabriel, Paul McCartney and Ozzy Osbourne. Eagle is a Grammy Award winning company and has received over 30 multi-platinum, over 50 platinum and over 90 gold discs, worldwide.  Eagle Rock Entertainment has offices in London, New York, Toronto, Paris and Hamburg.

Eagle Rock Entertainment to release Hendrix tribute by Gary Moore

Blues For Jimi set for Sept. 25, 2012 release!

Eagle Rock Entertainment is also proud to announce the September 25 release of the Gary Moore CD, DVD and Blu-ray title Blues For Jimi. 

This release captures a unique concert featuring Moore playing Jimi Hendrix tracks, including such classics as “Purple Haze,” “Foxy Lady,” “The Wind Cries Mary,” “Hey Joe,” “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” and many more. Filmed at the London Hippodrome on October 25, 2007, it was part of the launch for the Jimi Hendrix “Live At Monterey” program.

At the end of the night, Gary was joined by Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox of the Jimi Hendrix Experience for three tracks.  The full line-up for this show was Gary Moore (guitar, vocals); Dave Bronze (bass); Darrin Mooney (drums) with Billy Cox (bass on tracks 9-11, and also vocals on the first two of those) and Mitch Mitchell (drums on tracks 9-11).

Both Gary Moore and Mitch Mitchell have passed since this concert took place, which makes the recording of this incredible night so special. Gary Moore was one of the finest British guitarists of all time and is one of the few players who could pay homage to Jimi Hendrix’s groundbreaking and truly distinctive guitar style. This is a stunning tribute from one master guitarist to another.

TRACK LISTING

1) Purple Haze  

2) Manic Depression  

3) Foxy Lady  

4) The Wind Cries Mary  

5) I Don’t Live Today  

6) My Angel  

7) Angel  

8) Fire  

9) Red House  

10) Stone Free  

11) Hey Joe  

12) Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

Band of Horses' set to issue Mirage Rock on Sept. 18, 2012

Band of Horses' fourth album, Mirage Rock (Brown/Columbia) will arrive on Sept. 18, 2012. Those who pre-order it will receive first single "Knock Knock" immediately and the exclusive track "Ego Nightmare" upon release.


Mirage Rock was produced by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Glyn Johns (Rolling Stones, Who, Led Zeppelin). Next month, Band of Horses begin a tour opening stint for My Morning Jacket. 

Here is the tracklisting for Mirage Rock:

1. Knock Knock
2. How To Live
3. Slow Cruel Hands of Time
4. A Little Biblical
5. Shut-In Tourist
6. Dumpster World
7. Electric Music
8. Everything's Gonna Be Undone
9. Feud
10. Long Vows
11. Heartbreak On the 101

UPCOMING TOUR DATES

7/26 - Salt Lake City, UT - Pioneer Park (Headline Show)

North American Dates with My Morning Jacket:

8/3 - Denver, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre
8/4 - Kansas City, MO - Starlight Theatre
8/7 - Lincoln, NE - Pinewood Bowl
8/8 - St. Louis, MO - Peabody
8/10 - Somerset, WI - Somerset Amphitheater
8/11 - Milwaukee, WI - BMO Harris Pavilion
8/12 - Columbus, OH - LC Pavilion
8/14 - Detroit, MI - Meadowbrook
8/15 - Toronto, ONT - Echo Beach
8/17 - Philadelphia, PA - Mann Center
8/18 - Washington, DC - Merriweather Post Pavilion
8/21 - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE
8/22 - Chicago, IL - Pritzker
8/24 - Atlanta, GA - Verizon Center
8/25 - Charlotte, NC - Time Warner
8/26 - Raleigh, NC - Raleigh Amphitheatre

UK/Europe Headline Dates:

11/4 - Milan, Italy - Alcatraz
11/5 - Paris, France - Le Trianon
11/6 - Utrecht, Holland - Vredenburg
11/7 - Berlin, Germany - Admiralpalast
11/9 - Stockholm, Sweden - Hovet
11/10 - Oslo, Norway - Sentrum
11/11 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Falkoner
11/15 - Birmingham, UK - HMV Institute
11/16 - Glasgow, UK - Academy
11/17 - Dublin, Ireland - Olympia
11/19 - Manchester, UK - Academy
11/20 - London, UK - Hammersmith Apollo

Inbox Update: Bell X1, Concrete Blonde

It's rare that I get a chance to focus a post strictly on upcoming tours and special shows. No time like now to get one of those rare posts positioned front and center.

Bell X1 launches acoustic tour of North America

Bell X1 will launch an acoustic tour of North America in September 2012. The run follows the success of the band's sold-out 2010 acoustic tour and returns to many of the same regions, including Los Angeles where the band will perform at Hotel Cafe on Oct. 12.

Most shows go on sale this Friday and Saturday, July 13 and 14. Please go to www.bellx1.com for more details.


Concrete Blonde to play two shows in Southern California in August

Concrete Blonde announces two upcoming West Coast dates at the Belly Up in Solana Beach on August 28^thand The Troubadour in Los Angeles on August 29th. Currently working on new material for an upcoming album, these dates will give fans a chance to get a live sneak preview of some of the band’s new songs. 

Concrete Blonde will also offer a limited edition run of two of their latest originals, “Rosalie” and “I Know the Ghost,” with white vinyl 45 rpm copies available only on the road and downloads for sale on CDBABY. The Dallas band Menkena, will be the special guest openers.

Concrete Blonde came out of hiatus in 2010 for the 20th anniversary of Bloodletting (Concrete Blonde’s award-winning and best-selling album) with the band feeling more vital and creative than ever. In 2011 Concrete Blonde began writing, recording and creating monthly live broadcast concerts through StageIt.com, streaming classics, experimental and newly written songs from a different venue for each unique show. The band kicked off their ongoing streaming series live from Rancho de la Luna in Joshua Tree (Dave from Eagles of Death Metal’s place); with following shows at Soundbite Studios, Stagg Street Studios, and a Halloween show from Fitzgerald’s Houston, TX.

In a series of firsts, the band also played their very first show in China when they were asked to play the West Lake Music Festival in Taiziwan Park in the city of Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang Province. After taking the stage countless times all over the world during their successful and storied career, singer Johnette Napolitano expresses “this was one of the most important shows we've ever played, after 30 years. We were humbled and amazed.”

Concrete Blonde was originally formed in 1982 amidst the post-punk era that spawned such notable LA bands as X, Wall of Voodoo, Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Go Go’s. Lead singer, songwriter and bassist Johnette Napolitano founded the band along with guitarist Jim Mankey (a founding member of Sparks.)  Signed to I.R.S. Records, their 1989 sophomore album Free spawned the first among many college radio hits with “God Is A Bullet.” The song about the innocent victims of gang violence would set the tone for Napolitano’s earnest yet gritty lyrics detailing urban life. Bloodletting, released in 1990, would ultimately prove to be the album that earned Concrete Blonde national attention as the alternative rock anthem “Joey” broke the top 20. Johnette’s soulfully wounded voice was forever etched in our memory as she sang, “Joey I’m not angry anymore,” about a romance soured by alcoholism. With several more albums successfully under their belt and a considerable and loyal following, the band parted ways after touring for their critically acclaimed Mexican Moon release in 1994.

After six years apart, the new millennium brought the band back together. The album Group Therapy officially marked the band’s return and brought their first tour in 8 years. Armed with new drummer Gabriel Ramirez from the Roc En Espanol band Maria Fatal, the trio followed with 2003’s Live in Brazil and 2004’s desert inspired Mojave. Seven years after their last album, Johnette Napolitano, Jim Mankey and Gabriel Ramirez are back with a new album scheduled for release in 2012. 

For Concrete Blonde tour updates and music, go to http://www.myspace.com/vampiresrisecbofficial.

Tour Dates:
August 28                   The Belly Up                           Solana Beach, CA
August 29                   The Troubadour                      Los Angeles, CA

Music Worth Buying: Should we offer up negative reviews?

TJR and I have always used episodes of Music Worth Buying to celebrate and champion our favorite music. Should we continue to chart that course?

Power-Pop festival coming to Orange County Fair on July 22

Nushu (from left, featuring singer-guitarists Lisa Mychols, Hillary Burton and drummer Tom Richards) performed at the "Popgarden Radio Presents the Rock on the Road Tour" at the Orange County Fair in July 2011. 


Although it are the big names such as Tears for Fears, Duran Duran, Adam Lambert and Heart that will draw the biggest crowds to the Orange County Fair in Costa Mesa this summer (July 13 - Aug. 12, 2012) when they headline as part of the Pacific Amphitheatre Summer Concert Series, there is an under-the-radar day-long mini fest that may well be just as much fun and comes at the mere cost of admission to the fair itself!

Walter Clevenger & the Dairy Kings, Nushu, Popdudes and the Tickets are among the featured power-pop rock acts that will perform at the fair from 11 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. (or so) on Sunday afternoon, July 22. Here is the schedule of times and artists playing that day I have courtesy of an email from Nushu:

11-11:30 Steve Kobashigawa
11:40 - 12:10 Rick Hromadka & Phil Rosenthal
12:20 - 12:50 Brittney Bouchard
1:00 - 1:30 Bart Mendoza
1:40 - 2:10 Popdudes
2:20 - 2:50 The Tickets
3:00- 3:30 Nushu
3:40 - 4:10 Walter Clevenger


Here is the link to Nushu's announcement on Facebook.

Music Worth Buying episode: The Beach Boys, ASIA

Check out the latest episode of Music Worth Buying where we review the latest album releases from The Beach Boys and ASIA.

Producer George Martin profiled on forthcoming Eagle Rock release

How cool does this upcoming documentary sound? Earlier this week I reviewed the excellent 'Beatles Stories' documentary that arrives this weekend, and I'll make sure to feature Produced by George Martin after I've watched it as well. Here is the official media release that landed in my inbox earlier this week...

EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT TO RELEASE STUNNING DOCUMENTARY ON LEGENDARY PRODUCER GEORGE MARTIN

Produced By George Martin lands September 11, 2012

Eagle Rock Entertainment will release Produced By George Martin on September 11, 2012 on three configurations: DVD, Blu-ray and Digital Video [MSRP $14.98 DVD, $19.98 Blu-ray, $12.99 Digital].



The documentary is a feature-length profile of Britain’s most celebrated record producer. In this very personal film, Sir George talks about his childhood, his war experience and his early days as a music student. Originally broadcast to great acclaim in 2011 as part of the BBC’s “Arena” series, this version contains over 50 minutes of additional interviews not included in the TV broadcast version. These extras include contributions from Rick Rubin, T-Bone Burnett, Howard Goodall, Jimmy Webb and Ken Scott.


Truly, George Martin has had a career like no other. In the early ‘50s, he joined EMI/Parlophone and started working on orchestral music, music for children and single handedly pioneered a range of hugely successful comedy records with Peter Sellers, Spike Milligan, Peter Ustinov and others. Then, in 1962, he signed The Beatles and everything changed. Together, George Martin and The Beatles revolutionized pop music and recording techniques, forging probably the greatest producer/artist collaboration there will ever be.


Produced By George Martin features numerous classic clips of the artists he has produced, and new interviews with many of them including Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Michael Palin, Jeff Beck, Rolf Harris, Cilla Black, Millicent Martin and Bernard Cribbins. A fascinating man, and a compelling film.


Eagle Rock Entertainment is the largest producer and distributor of music programming for DVD, Blu-Ray, TV, Audio and Digital Media in the world. Eagle works directly alongside talent to produce top quality, High Definition and 3D programs, both concerts and documentaries, including The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Who, Queen, The Doors, Jeff Beck, U2, Peter Gabriel, Paul McCartney and Ozzy Osbourne. Eagle is a Grammy Award winning company and has received over 30 multi-platinum, over 50 platinum and over 90 gold discs, worldwide. Eagle Rock Entertainment has offices in London, New York, Toronto, Paris and Hamburg.

Foster the People deliver sonic goods at homecoming show

My review of Foster the People originally ran on the Soundcheck blog of The Orange County Register site on Sunday, July 1, 2012. A special "thank you" to Kelly A. Swift for the use of her photograph of Mark Foster taken on May 12, 2012 at KIIS-FM's Wango Tango at Home Depot Center.

Live review: Foster the People breezes into shiny, happy homecoming at Gibson Amphitheatre

Despite more than a year of nonstop touring in support of their full-length debut, Torches, there was no hint of fatigue evident from Foster the People as the L.A. band kicked off a well-deserved, weekend-long homecoming celebration with the first of two sold-out shows at Gibson Amphitheatre on Saturday (June 30, 2012).

Frontman Mark Foster (seen here performing in May 2012) noted it was the group’s “297th show in 15 months.” Yet he and the rest of FTP – Cubbie Fink on bass and Mark Pontius on drums, plus touring instrumentalists Sean Cimino and Isom Innis – showed a collective confidence in their 75-minute performance of mostly pounding dance-pop.



With the possible exception of Utah’s Neon Trees, which mined an unbelievable amount of pay dirt out of a single album (2010′s Habits) for more than two years, no group since Maroon 5 a decade ago has been able to ride this sort of big first wave of popularity with the skill of Foster the People. As the band proved over and over again before an enthusiastic crowd on its feet most of the night, the joy of playing accessible, rousing material with an inviting vibe always keeps people happy.



Whether playing less-familiar breezy summertime pop (“I Would Do Anything for You,” “Waste”) or firing off their similar hits (“Houdini,” “Helena Beat,” their breakthrough “Pumped Up Kicks”), the plentiful use of percussion and tasty layers of keyboards immersed the songs in a uniformed sound ideal for FTP’s upbeat approach. Meanwhile, Foster himself would prowl in front of the stage, or strum his guitar or pound away on a big tom-tom or play his piano, ever the ringleader, successfully offering a performance as infectious as the band’s tunes.



When four members of the USC Marching Band joined the quintet for “Houdini,” that sound was momentarily swallowed up, yet that provided a perfect enhancement to the song’s attack. Countless more members of the university’s top-tier ensemble lined up and played in the middle of the crowd heightening the dance party.



“Pumped Up Kicks” is as catchy as any tune in recent memory, especially its big, high-pitched chorus. It might get repetitive but its electronic flourishes help it gel, and Saturday’s unprompted and mighty singalong added to the sure-fire effect. It was a logical closer, the colorful confetti falling from the ceiling adding to a festive finale.



Of the night’s two openers, retro star Mayer Hawthorne was the stronger, though even that touted newcomer wasn’t superb. He’s a solid vocalist able to impressively convey blue-eyed soul in the style of Daryl Hall, but his play-to-the-masses approach lacks the grace, depth and sophistication of his greatest heroes.



And I was less impressed by 21-year-old Kimbra, guest star of Gotye’s inescapable “Somebody That I Used to Know,” whose Down Under sensation Vows was finally released stateside in May. The New Zealand native’s Gwen Stefani-esque vocals – also heard on “Warrior,” a song she sang with Foster & Co. during the headlining set – often grated against an ultra-heavy bass drum boom that quickly ground her nuanced music into a pulp.

'Beatles Stories' showcases endless reach of Fab Four's magic

What do members of the Beach Boys, Badfinger and the Bangles, as well as actors Henry Winkler, Sir Ben Kingsley and Jon Voight have in common? All are among the endless parade of notable personalities who share fascinating tales relating to the Fab Four on the forthcoming documentary Beatles Stories (the Julukesy Films release is set for release on July 7 in honor of Ringo Starr’s 72^nd birthday). Los Angeles-based filmmaker/author/singer-songwriter/Beatles fan Seth Swirsky set out in 2005 to document personal reflections from famous and not-so-famous personalities on both sides of the Atlantic to recount a wealth of stories ranging from revealing events that played out when the members of the band were teens just starting out in Liverpool to seminal events that played out during the height of Beatlemania and incidents involving John, Paul, George and Ringo following the breakup of the group. Brian Wilson, Susanna Hoffs, Justin Hayward, Art Garfunkel, Graham Nash and Denny Laine (of Moody Blues and Paul McCartney & Wings fame) provide some of the most emotional insights during the wonderful film. It is bittersweet to see recently-lost names such as Monkees singer Davy Jones, Andrew Gold, one-time Capitol Records president Alan Livingston and Norman “Hurricane” Smith featured in some of their last interviews, but that sobering feeling of loss enhances the importance of Swirsky’s powerful and poignant film.

Beatles Stories is a must-see for fans of rock’s greatest band, as well as anyone who loves classic rock ‘n’ roll and popular music.

In addition to the Beatles Stories documentary itself (which was an official selection at the Newport Beach International Film Festival in 2011 and will now be available for the first time on both DVD or Blu-ray), the release has many bonus materials including more than a dozen additional interviews (including with famed Grammy Award-winning Wings guitarist Laurence Juber), a commentary track by Swirsky and a short feature on the aforementioned Normal “Hurricane” Smith, the Beatles’ long-time recording engineer who worked with producer Sir George Martin on the majority of Beatles recordings in the 1960s.

Information: http://beatlesstories.com/

RiffTrax Live: ‘Manos’ The Hands of Fate in Movie Theaters on August 16

One of the worst movies in the world returns to the theaters for one night only. I will definitely be there, thanks to the involvement of the talented RiffTrax crew...

NCM^® Fathom Events and RiffTrax present “RiffTrax Live: ‘Manos’ The Hands of Fate” in theaters for only one night on Thursday, August 16 at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT and tape delayed 7:00 p.m. MT / 8:00 p.m. PT. Featuring the same comedians from the cult classic “Mystery Science Theater 3000” (MST3K), Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett will reunite on the big screen to fire off their wisecracking commentary on the 1966 American horror feature “‘Manos’ The Hands of Fate.” The event will be broadcast LIVE from Nashville to participating movie theaters across the country. Attendees will be treated not only to “Manos’” infamous abysmal acting, outdated effects and seemingly endless cat fights featuring ‘The Master’s’ many girdle-clad wives, but also a selection of free digital goodies.

 

Tickets for “RiffTrax Live: ‘Manos’ The Hands of Fate” are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. For a complete list of theater locations and prices, visit the NCM Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change). The event will be broadcast to more than 550 select movie theaters across the country through NCM’s exclusive Digital Broadcast Network.

 

"Revisiting ‘Manos’ again after 19 years will be like running into a dear old friend—a friend who drinks all your beer and hits you up for money,” said Michael J. Nelson, RiffTrax creator and former host of the Emmy-nominated, Peabody Award-winning ‘Mystery Science Theater 3000.’ “Still, we're thrilled to be able to bring this timeless classic to the big screen. (Don't tell anyone but I seriously love this film.)"

 

Previous successful Fathom and RiffTrax events have included “RiffTrax Live: Jack the Giant Killer” in August 2011, a hilarious riff of the cheesy 1962 fantasy epic featuring giant rubber monsters and a leprechaun in a jar; “RiffTrax Live: House on Haunted Hill” in October 2010, which took on the Vincent Price horror classic just in time for Halloween; “RiffTrax Live: Reefer Madness” in August 2010, parodying the legendary cult classic; “RiffTrax Live: Plan 9 From Outer Space” in August 2009, skewering what is widely considered to be the ‘worst film ever made’; and “RiffTrax Live: Christmas Shorts-Stravaganza” in December 2009, featuring “Weird Al” Yankovic.

 

“Fathom’s live in-theater events with the RiffTrax gang have been tremendously popular with theater audiences,” said Shelly Maxwell, executive vice president of NCM Fathom Events. “With ‘Manos,’ Mike, Kevin and Bill are sure to deliver yet another side-splitting evening of fun, packed with their signature brand of wisecracks.”

 

Infamous for its significant technical deficiencies and continuity flaws, “‘Manos’ The Hands of Fate,” written, directed, produced by and starring Harold P. Warren, is widely believed to be one of the worst films ever made. The plot revolves around a vacationing family who lose their way on a road trip in Texas, and find themselves trapped at a lodge maintained by a polygamous pagan cult. In 1993 “Mystery Science Theater 3000” featured “‘Manos’ The Hands of Fate,” launching the film’s cult status.

 

Tickets for RiffTrax Live: ‘Manos’ The Hands of Fate are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com.

 

Van Morrison set to return with new studio album 'Born to Sing: No Plan B'

Just got this everybody and wanted to share...

VAN MORRISON RETURNS TO BLUE NOTE RECORDS FOR NEW 2012 STUDIO ALBUM BORN TO SING: NO PLAN B OUT OCTOBER 2




June 26, 2012, New York - Van Morrison returns to Blue Note Records for a new studio album Born To Sing: No Plan B to be released on October 2. Morrison previously released the Grammy-nominated What's Wrong With This Picture? on Blue Note in 2003.



Van says: "With most record companies being so corporate I am happy to be working with Don Was and the team at Blue Note. To have such a creative music person as the head of my recording label assures me that all the effort taken to write and record this new album will be rewarded with a music-based focus and marketing approach. I look forward to many recording projects with Don and Blue Note."



Don Was adds: "Over a career that spans decades, Van Morrison has developed a body of work that is unparalleled in its consistent excellence. He is one of the greatest singer/songwriter/musicians of all time. We are incredibly honored that he has chosen to record for the Blue Note label and look forward to many fruitful years together."



A six-time Grammy winner and member of the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame, Morrison is one of the most influential artists of the modern age. His poetically impressionistic lyrics and unique fusion of rock n' roll with soul, jazz and folk have deep emotional resonance and universal appeal. His transcendent masterpieces 'Astral Weeks' and 'Moondance' are typically ranked among the best albums of all-time, while his more recent recordings 'Magic Time' and 'Keep it Simple' enjoyed Top 10 debuts.



Born To Sing: No Plan B was produced by Van and recorded in his native Belfast.



BORN TO SING: NO PLAN B



1. Open The Door (To Your Heart)

2. Going Down To Monte Carlo

3. Born To Sing

4. End Of The Rainbow

5. Close Enough For Jazz

6. Mystic Of The East

7. Retreat And View

8. If In Money We Trust

9. Pagan Heart

10. Educating Archie



More information on Van Morrison's new Blue Note album will be announced soon

New 'Music Worth Buying' episode, Bon Iver, Heart, Stripes and Lines, Kut U Up

This post is a collection of various (and noteworthy) news and notes, as well as an invitation to watch the latest episode of Music Worth Buying...

This week TJR immerses into dark psychedelic rock world of the Black Angels latest album Phosphene Dream. Meanwhile I celebrate Joan Osborne's latest album of soul music titled Bring it on Home. - Check it out and give us your feedback"

Bon Iver Announces New U.S. Tour Dates

Last week Bon Iver released a new iTunes Session (click HERE to stream its version of "Beth/Rest") and picked up the award for Independent Album of the Year at the inaugural Libera Awards curated by the American Association of Indepedent Music. Bon Iver's label has announced new dates along the Eastern United States, including two additional dates in New York at Radio City Music Hall. Anais Mitchell will open for most of these dates. Much has been said of Bon Iver's transformation into a nine-person live band. The Miami New Times in a recent live review, captures the essence of this magic particularly well: "Often, live music is an attempt to approximate something captured in a studio. As exceptional as Bon Iver's recordings are, Bon Iver in concert is an entirely different creature. By turns defiant and pliant, pained and triumphant, with Bon Iver, the songs are not merely live but living." Check out the full list of tour dates at the band's Web site here.

2010 Proves banner year for Heart with new studio album and hardcover memoir arriving this fall

With Heart's Fanatic, a new studio album, and Kicking and Dreaming, an insiders' memoir, arriving this fall, 2012 is shaping up as a banner year for the iconic American band who--beginning with hits like "Crazy on You," "Magic Man," and "Barracuda" in the mid-1970s running through 2010's Red Velvet Car--have created an enduring catalog of bona fide stadium rock classics and power ballads while establishing a lasting template for women in rock.

* * * * *

Fanatic, Heart's 14th studio album, arrives Tuesday, October 2.  The group's second full-length studio album for Legacy, Fanatic premieres 10 new essential performances from sisters Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson on songs including "Fanatic," "Dear Old America," "Walkin' Good" (featuring Sarah McLachlan), "Skin and Bones," "Million Miles," "Pennsylvania," "Mashallah," "Rock Deep (Vancouver)," "59 Crunch," and "Corduroy Road." NOTE; YOU CAN READ MY REVIEW OF HEART'S EXCELLENT CONCERT IN ANAHEIM IN FEBRUARY 2012 HERE. SPECIAL THANK YOU TO KELLY A. SWIFT FOR THE USE OF HER IMAGE FROM THAT SHOW.

The first album of new music from Ann and Nancy Wilson since 2010's Red Velvet Car had its Top 10 debut in 2010, Fanatic was recorded in hotel rooms and studios up and down the West Coast, with Grammy-winning producer Ben Mink back at the helm with the Wilson sisters drawing from their own lives and personal experiences as inspiration for their music.  "Dear Old America" comes from memories of a military household and is written from the point of view of their father, a Marine Corps officer, returning from war ("When I get home, I'm going to own this town/Shine this medal/Wear that crown…."); "Rock Deep (Vancouver)" harkens back to the city where Dreamboat Annie was written; and "Walkin' Good" (a duet with Vancouver resident Sarah McLachlan) captures the joy of finding new life in a new love.

The title song is a celebration of the Wilson's life spirit: Ann and Nancy are fanatics about love, art, truth, and the belief that they can do anything together they set their minds to.  

"What a crazy year we are having," said Ann Wilson.  "Our box set, Strange Euphoria, and our book, Kicking and Dreaming, each tell the story of our lives so far, personally and musically. Our new album, Fanatic, tells our story as it is now and brings it all up-to-the-minute. What a thrill to have worked with both Charles Cross and Ben Mink respectively on these, and of course to touch the musical magic Nancy and I have always shared together. Anybody want to RAWK??"

Released in 2010, Fanatic's predecessor, Red Velvet Car (the first new studio album in six years from the groundbreaking Seattle-based band) entered the Billboard 200 best-selling album charts at #10, becoming the seventh Top 10 album of Heart's career.  Heart's critically-acclaimed first album for Legacy Recordings marked the return of Heart to the Sony Music Entertainment family, reaching #1 in sales on Amazon.com on Sunday, September 5.

On June 5, Epic Records/Legacy Recordings released Strange Euphoria, the first definitive career-spanning, multi-label boxed set retrospective chronicling the seminal American rock band Heart, personally curated by Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson.

And, finally, if you are in San Diego this weekend, the poster reproduced here pretty much provides you with the details about a special concert on Saturday, June 30th...