Deltron 3030 (the collaborative hip hop project of Dan the Automator, Del the Funky Homosapien, and Kid Koala), who released their excellent self titled LP in 2000 and have been delaying a followup for years, have just revealed their first official single from the new album, "Pay The Price," on their facebook page. The album is called Event II and a release date is still TBA. You can listen to the song below.

In related news, Dan the Automator also has a new album coming out with his Pillowfight project with Emily Wells. The album comes out next week (1/22), but you can stream it in its entirety ahead of its release, HERE.

Continue reading "listen to the first official Deltron 3030 single off their new LP"

Slayer at Izod Center (photos by Samantha Marble)

Slayer, Thee Oh Sees, Public Enemy, Girls, Danzig Legacy, (Danzig + Doyle von Frankenstein playing Misfits, Samhain & Danzig), Hot Snakes, Diplo, Major Lazer, Henry Rollins, Ted Leo & The Phramacists, Spank Rock, Murder City Devils, Hum, Lykke Li, Passion Pit, Four Tet, Rakim, The Damned, Austra, Purity Ring, and Flynt Flossy are just a few of the acts announced today as part of the Fun Fun Fun Fest 2011 lineup. Another amazing year! Check out the full lineup below and stay tuned for more announcements coming in August and September.

The new additions to the Austin, Texas festival, which takes place from 11/4 - 11/6, are in addition to the the previous "lineup leaks" that included Brian Posehn, Odd Future, Okkervil River, M83, X (performing "Los Angeles"), Reggie Watts, Flying Lotus, Tune-Yards, Ra Ra Riot, Kid Dynamite and others

2011 is the festival's sixth year, but first at its new home Auditorium Shores (no more Waterloo Park). Tickets are on sale now.

Slayer also has a NYC performance coming up with Metallica, Anthrax and Megadeth as part of the "Big Four" show at Yankee Stadium on 9/14. Tickets are still available.

Fun Fun Fun 2011 flyer and almost-full lineup is below.

Continue reading "Fun Fun Fun Fest 2011 lineup (Danzig Legazy, Passion Pit, Slayer, Lykke Li, The Damned, Henry Rollins & much more)"

photos by Sara Skolnick

DOWNLOAD: Del the Funky Homosapien - Get it Right Now (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Del the Funky Homosapien - Straight From The Big Bad West Coast

Gravy Train!!!!

When the very good DJ Prince Paul came on, crowds gathered in front of the stage. His first number was the usual tribute to Michael Jackson, and then Prince, De La Soul, Brand Nubian, et al. followed. In addition to being a DJ, the Queens native Prince Paul is a crimefighter, an international man of mystery, and a well-known producer of lots of musicians you know well. He got the crowd moving and shaking; clearly, he's so good at this you feel he could do it in his sleep. Prince Paul is pretty funny, too.

After Prince Paul left the stage, there were some technical glitches, but finally onstage came Buku One, or Bukue One - spelling of hip-hop performers is about as standard as colonial American English; we've seen Del the Funky Homosapien also as Del tha Funkee Homosapien - who, like Del, is from the Bay Area. He's worth catching up with if you're not familiar with him; his DJing exudes intelligence and wit...

...Del joined Bukue onstage, and he was great throughout his set...."How many of you think the music industry is fucked up and full of shit?" Del asked the crowd. "Are you tired of buying an album that has only three good songs?" Yeah, we are. Who's got the cure? The doctor in the house, Dr. Bombay, of course.
[DUMBO Books of Brooklyn]

This past Sunday at the Williamsburg Waterfront (8/16) was not only the 2009 Pool Party with the most hip hop, but also the Pool Party with the most confusing band name spellings (Del tha? Del the? Funkee? Funky? Kenan? Keenan? !? !!? !!!? !!!!? DD/MM/YYYY?????). Sorry.

Del has two new albums. The first, from which the two MP3's above come from, is called Funk Man (The Stimulus Package) and is totally free. The second is a collaboration with Tame One that was produced by Parallel Thought and is called Parallel Uni-Verses. It drops October 13th, 2009.

Prince Paul and Kenan Bell were both also seen three days earlier at the De La Soul show at Nokia Theatre. Gravy Train!!!! pictured above was the best visual candy of the day. More pictures below...

Continue reading "Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Gravy Train!!!!, Kenan Bell, DD/MM/YYYY & Prince Paul @ Williamsburg Waterfront - pics"

De La DMC @ Nokia Theatre, NYC - 8/13/09 (by Tim Griffin)

As Del La Soul told the crowd when they took the stage at Nokia Theatre in NYC last night (8/13), their show was not going to be all music from 3 Feet High & Rising. Why would anyone think it would be? Probably because the show was billed as "20 Years High and Rising" (and everyone and their mother is playing full albums these days) (including Buckshot who opened the show, but didn't play a full album at this one either). I was more than okay with them not playing the full thing, though it would have been nice to hear a few more songs from that album. Specifically, I wished they played "The Magic Number" and "Jenifa Taught Me (Derwin's Revenge)".

I loved every second of the packed show, and the 10-piece backing band was an especially nice touch. That said, I was selfishly hoping for a few more special guests, not that there weren't any. I thought for sure that Q-Tip would show up, and the Jungle Brothers and Black Sheep, and maybe even Doom, and who knows who else. Ends up they sort of kept the guests to a minimum. Bumpy Knuckles performed a short unannounced opening set. Prince Paul was brought out for a second to say hello. Dres from Black Sheep and Ali Shaheed Muhammad from A Tribe Called Quest were watching from the side of the stage and were brought forward to dance for a minute during "Buddy". And then, the big, and maybe only real special guest moment came during a cover of Run DMC's "Rock Box" which was completed with DMC himself on stage as part of the group. They covered Rakim too, but he wasn't there, maybe because he was downtown playing his own show at Highline Ballroom the same evening.

This Sunday (8/16) indie rock leaves the Williamsburg Waterfront for one week (Central Park Summerstage stole it for the day), and another big (mostly) hip hop show happens in NYC, courtesy of JellyNYC, and it's free (and/or $50). The Sunday Pool Party lineup includes Gravy Train!!!, DD/MM/YYYY, Kenan Bell (who also opened for De La Soul on Thursday), a DJ set by Prince Paul (Plug Four), and a headlining set by DEL the Funky Homosapien.

We have a full set of pictures coming from De La Soul (more tour dates HERE), and we'll have some from Sunday too. In the meantime, here's a few videos from the show...

Continue reading "De La Soul (& DMC) played Nokia, Prince Paul DJing Pool Party Sunday (w/ Del da Funky Homosapien, Kenan Bell, others) "

'your tax deductible benefit ticket helps fund needed improvements to our park' - OSA

Williamsburg Waterfront (more by Bao Nguyen)

"The Open Space Alliance for North Brooklyn (OSA) does fund raising for North Brooklyn parks and works with Jelly and the East River State Park in producing the Pool Parties on Sundays. Each week OSA makes available VIP tickets to the Pool Parties. Purchase of VIP Benefit tickets to the free concerts at the East River State Park/Williamsburg Waterfront include entrance through the VIP entrance at North 7th Street without waiting in line [P.S. you must be 21 or older to use the VIP Benefit ticket...]. Access the area next to the stage where the artist & production team hang, enjoying the waterfront view and New York City skyline with a couple hours of complimentary beer and sangria. Have fun while doing good: your tax deductible benefit ticket helps fund needed improvements to our park."

Those tickets are available for the three remaining Pool Parties this summer.

Sunday, Aug 16 - Del the Funky Homosapien & Prince Paul & Gravy Train! & DD/MM/YY & Kenan Bell (VIP tix)
Sunday, Aug 23 - Girl Talk, Max Tundra and Wiz Khalifa (VIP tix)
Sunday, Aug 30 - Grizzly Bear and Beach House (VIP tix)

$50 seems really pricey for this, but I'm not going to knock a charity (and it's tax deductible). Check out a video from OSA and a clip from the Fiery Furnaces' August 9th set below...

Continue reading "Open Space Alliance selling Pool Party VIP tickets..."

"The emails have been piling up and everyone's asking, "dude, what's up with the Pool Parties?" Well DUDE, so sorry to keep you waiting, but here at JELLY we've been working our asses off to bring you one of the greatest free concert series in history. The Pool Parties are going to be extremely crucial this year, "epic" or "amazing" as you people say these days. Seriously, eight weeks of FREE shows on the waterfront of Williamsburg? Does it get any better? You might be thinking "waterfront"? Yeah, in case you didn't hear the McCarren Pool's closed so get over it :) , and yeah we kept the name Pool Parties even though the East River's not at a pool, so what? We've still got DODGEBALL, basketball, DJ's, bands, burgers the works! We love you more than your parents ever could, and if you want to have fun and hang out with us this summer. [Full schedule below]. Bring your friends but please don't bring these things [pictured above]. As you can see below, underage drinking will not be tolerated. . You guys wouldn't do that though, so there's nothing to worry about. Thank you for visiting and stay tuned!!" -Jelly

The big news here is that they finally announced! As far as this year's lineup, well, we figured most of that out already. The Black Lips will also play the show with Trail of Dead, HEALTH, and Grupo Fantasma. Jemina Pearl is also on the bill of the first show on July 12th (Mission of Burma). Full lineup poster and a video below...

Continue reading "JellyNYC announces Pool Parties @ Williamsburg Waterfront!"

photos by Chris Graham

Bumbershoot has evolved over the years, and no one knows that better than Norm Langill, president and CEO of One Reel, the not-for-profit company that produces the event. He's been involved with Bumbershoot since its beginning in the 1970s and is the one who ultimately takes the bouquets and brickbats, the praise and complaints.

As the 2008 festival drew to a close last Monday night, he looked out a picture window in the press room at the still-bustling crowd below and said, "I see people really engaged out there. A mixed crowd."

He turned to me, smiling.

"It was smooth. It was really smooth this year. I feel comfortable enough to not even ask about attendance." [The Seattle Times]

Bumbershoot 2008 coverage comes to an end with the rest of the pictures and reports from day three below..

Continue reading "Bumbershoot 2008 - more pix, less Monotonix & republicans"

photos by Ailecia Ruscin

The Flaming Lips are hitting at least 17 music festivals this summer. Of that 17, four have already happened. There was Summer Camp, Jam on the River and Sasquatch. And then there was last weekend at Wakarusa in Lawrence, Kansas (home of Williams S Burroughs from 1981-1997). Like Jam on the River, Wakarusa was heavy on the jam bands. STS9, Lotus, Galactic, Tea Leaf Green, and Keller Williams were all on the bill. So were Mates of State, Dr. Dog, Cake, Tilly and the Wall, Bettye Lavette, Old 97's, Del Tha Funkee Homosapien, Arrested Development, Built to Spill and many more. And like a lot of summer festivals, Wakarusa was forced to deal with rain delays and related artist cancellations. And there was camping....

People of all ages find elaborate ways to set up their campsites, entertain themselves, sleep comfortably, at least as well as you can in 85 degrees, and grill up some grub. Since it's equal parts music and camping at Wakarusa, having the right supplies improves the experience. T.J. Baker, 23, Lawrence, said sleeping comfortably is key. Hammocks are the best, he said.

"I'm envious I don't have one with me, especially for napping," he said, looking at a yellow hammock his friend was sound alseep in. Eric Blakie, 22, and Jake Via, 23, both from Buffalo, N.Y., made the 16-hour road trip for the festival, so there was no going back for that forgotten toothbrush or towel... [Lawrence Journal]

No, there was no going back.

As you know by now, Flaming Lips have integrated nudity into their already-over-the-top stage show. That stayed true at Wakarusa and one of the girls even seemed to be sending NYC a message. We read you loud and clear...

Continue reading "Wakarusa 2008 pics, sticks, Flaming Lips, more nude women"

DOWNLOAD: Del The Funky Homosapien - Bubble Pop (MP3)

Del The Funky Homosapien @ SXSW 2008 (CRED)

South by Southwest has always been known as a music festival that flourishes with indie-rock bands, singer-songwriter types, classic blues players, metal acts and even some country artists. But hip-hop? Not so much.

That's been changing thanks to SXSW music programmer Matt Sonzala, who has worked steadily to increase the profile of rap at the festival, which hosts hundreds and hundreds of acts each year. Among the 150 hip-hop performers at this year's event include Ice Cube, Bun B, The Clipse, Dizzee Rascal, 2 Live Crew, Talib Kweli, and the Cool Kids.

"Honestly I didn't know too much about this, and people would say, 'What -- you don't know what that is? ... If you don't go, you trippin'!'" said Del the Funky Homosapien, playing SXSW for the first time this year. "That's when I started realizing." [Associated Press]

Tickets are still on sale for the Del show happening Wednesday night (March 26) at Highline Ballroom in NYC. Check out a video from SXSW below....

Continue reading "Del The Funky Homosapien - MP3, SXSW video, in NYC Wed"

El-P & Del tha Funkee Homosapien, CMJ 2007 (Justin Charles)

* Dizzee Rascal & Nick Cave are playing the Plug Awards
* You can watch the Plug Awards on your computer screen
* Dizzee Rascal is also playing a show at Soutnpaw in Brooklyn
* Dizzee Rascal & El-P are playing the Def Jux showcase at SXSW
* Tickets are on sale for an El-P/Dizzee Rascal show at Webster Hall in May
* El-P, Dizzee Rascal & Busdriver are going on tour togeter. All dates Dates below....

Continue reading "El-P, Dizzee Rascal, Tour Dates, SXSW, Plug Awards stream"

DOWNLOAD: Amplive - "Videotape (Remix Ft. Del The Funky Homosapien) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Amplive - Rainydayz Remixes (whole album ZIP file)

After a cease & desist put the breaks on Amplive's Radiohead In Rainbows remix project, the online music community reasonably wondered if the tracks would ever see the light of day. Today comes an answer: they most definitely will. While the Oakland producer/DJ acknowledges that he probably should have contacted Radiohead (who were not involved in the project) to seek approval prior to making his interpretations publicly available, an agreement has been reached between all involved parties and Amplive has been granted permission to release Rainydayz Remixes for free to the general public.

Continue reading "Amplive's Radiohead In Rainbows remix project"

DOWNLOAD: EL-P - EMG (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: EL-P - Smithereens (stop cryin) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Junk Science - Hey (feat. Scott Thorough) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Mike Ladd - Trouble Shot (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Hangar 18 - Feet to Feet (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Hangar 18 - Baking Soda (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Hangar 18 - Think Big (MP3)

WHAT: El-P free show at Studio B
WHEN: Thursday, December 6th
WHERE: Studio B - 259 Banker St. Brooklyn, NY
TIME: Doors at 9pm
Flying Lotus and Home Video will be opening, Chin Chin will play as El-P's backing band.

The show is first come, first served. And here's what El-P liked in 2007....

1. NIN Year Zero (Interscope)
2. Aesop Rock None Shall Pass (Definitive Jux)
3. Rob Sonic Sabotage Gigante (Definitive Jux)
4. QOTSA Era Vulgaris (Interscope)
5. Nick Cave and Warren Ellis The Proposition (Mute)
6. UGK Underground Kingz (Jive)
7. Camron Public Enemy Number 1 (Diplomat)
8. Gang Of Four Entertainment (remastered) (Rhino)
9. Deftones Saturday Night Wrist (Maverick)
10. Jay Z American Gangster (Island Def Jam, Roc-A-Fella)

In related news: Del The Funky Homosapien signed to Def Jux (The 11th Hour is out February 26, 2008). Shia LaBeouf is working on a Cage Biopic. Mike Ladd's new album Nostalgialator is out January 15th (MP3 above). Junk Science and Hangar 18 have new Def Jux albums out now. MP3s above. Videos below....

Continue reading "El-P playing a free show & likes NIN, a Cage biopic, Del the Funky Homosapien & other Def Jux stuff"