R.E.M., who recently described "why President Obama's vision is essential to the notion of equality and democracy in America", posted the following note today:

R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion" was used in the Fox News coverage of the Democratic National Convention last night. R.E.M. today, through its music publisher, Warner-Tamerlane Music, demanded that Fox News cease and desist from continuing its unlicensed and unauthorized use of the song. Michael Stipe said, "We have little or no respect for their puff adder brand of reportage. Our music does not belong there."

In related news, R.E.M. recently reunited... for dinner.

"Calling it the next logical step in an evolution over nearly six decades, Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. said Thursday that it will split into two publicly traded companies. As part of the split, one company will operate as a newspaper and book publisher, and the other will be an entertainment company that will include the 20th Century Fox movie studio, the Fox broadcast TV network and the Fox News cable channel." [Wall Street Journal]

"An investor group led by Sony closed its $2.2 billion acquisition of EMI Music Publishing on Friday, creating a giant force in music publishing, the unglamorous but lucrative side of the music business that deals with songwriting rights." [NY Times]

photos by Greg Cristman, words by BBG

The Aquarian: How was the Floor reunion for you?

Steve Brooks of Torche/Floor: It was great ...The Floor shows were the best Floor shows we ever played, and there was an audience. Normally, back then, we'd just be playing in front of the other bands or friends. The biggest audience Floor ever played for, too.

The Aquarian: I was at the Brooklyn show, and it was amazed to see people singing along and jumping around. I imagine it was cool to play for.

Steve Brooks of Torche/Floor: Yeah, it was pretty mindblowing. We're like, "What? Huh?" (Laughs)

The Aquarian: Do you feel like Torche has taken what Floor started and brought it to fruition?

Steve Brooks of Torche/Floor: It's a different beast. Floor was only going to go so far, I think. I played in that band for over a decade and it was just time to move forward ...I went full-force with this one, where Floor, we didn't really go full-force as far as touring and everything, until 2001. We did one little tour in '96, but none of us had the confidence. We thought it was pretty much a project, and some of us relocated and stuff like that, but we didn't really tour where we should have back then. It probably would have been a lot different for us. But Torche... is also a learning experience as we went along, but I've gone further with this band than I have with any other band, and I'm 36 years old. I'm still doing it. It's pretty awesome.

Torche played NYC for the second time in three months, and the third time in five months, when they played with High On Fire and Kylesa at Webster Hall Sunday night. Torche drummer Rick Smith was not at the Webster show due to a family emergency, and was replaced by former Kylesa skinsman and current Shitstorm/Capsule member Eric Hernandez.

On Monday, Torche appeared on Red Eye on Fox News (after cancelling their Generation Records appearance). On the show, Governor Mike Huckabee said he is a Torche fan.That video with more pictures, video and the setlist from Webster, below...

Continue reading "Torche played Webster Hall, appeared on Red Eye (pics, setlist, video) "

Fake Lady Gagas

"Nina Liotta bought what she thought was a legitimate pair of tickets to Lady Gaga's sold-out July 9 concert at Madison Square Garden, according to news channel Fox 5 (video embedded below). Only after the cash transaction occurred -- totaling $300 -- did Liotta notice that the tickets were fakes." [Ticket News]

Continue reading "girl buys fake Lady Gaga tickets, Fox News reports"

"For me Malc was always entertaining, and I hope you remember that. Above all else he was an entertainer and i will miss him, and so should you" - Johnny Rotten on Malcom McLaren

Public Image Ltd's upcoming US tour kicks off Tuesday night, April 13th in LA before continuing to Coachella for a show on Friday. The trip was scheduled to end with a show at Terminal 5 on Tuesday, May 18th - tickets for that are still on sale, but the band has added a second NYC date for the same venue on Wednesday, May 19th. Tickets for that go on sale Friday at noon (and they'll probably be an AmEx presale before then too).

PiL played Jimmy Kimmel Live on April 7th (reactions to the performance were mixed). Jimmy's interview with Johnny Rotten and an April 9th interview on Fox's Red Eye (where Johnny Rotten talks about the recent death of Malcolm McLaren) are posted below...

Continue reading "Public Image Ltd add 2nd NYC show, Johnny Rotten talks to Fox News, talks about Malcom McLaren (videos) "

Gwar's new album "Lust in Space" was released in August, and theyre' now on tour to support it. That tour ends in NYC with a show at Irving Plaza on December 13th. Tickets are on sale. All dates and some videos of Oderus appearing on Fox and Sirius, below...

Continue reading "Gwar - 2009 Tour Dates w/ The Red Chord (Irving Plaza)"

Michael Jackson's planned 50-show run at the O2 Arena in London would have been the highest-grossing single concert engagement. Now it's a major problem for the promoter AEG Live.

More than $85 million worth of tickets have already been sold for the series of performances, which have the now sadly ironic title "This Is It." As much as $30 million has already been spent on production, according to sources close to the situation. So what's at stake for AEG, the world's second-largest concert promoter, can't be overstated.

Concert business executives have estimated that AEG paid Jackson an advance of as much as $10 million. That, plus the production costs, would mean AEG stands to lose as much as $40 million if nonappearance insurance isn't substantial enough to cover this contingency. For AEG, "it's either horrible or really horrible," a concert business executive says....

...AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips told Billboard May 12 that his company was well-insured. "We have one policy in place and we're negotiating for an even larger binder," said Phillips, who couldn't immediately be reached for comment regarding Jackson's death. "We have insured the production costs. In order to get the first part of the insurance in place, [Jackson] had to have a physical, and he passed it with flying colors." AEG CEO Tim Leiweke made similar comments in March at the Billboard Music & Money Symposium... [Billboard]

Jermaine Jackson (who Fox News called Randy) just spoke to news reporters. That Fox News video below...

Continue reading "'Fortune At Stake On Michael Jackson London Concerts'"

by Black Bubblegum

Melvins at Oya in Norway (more)

These days everyone is looking back, and the Melvins (sans members of Big Business) are no exception, as evidenced by their 25th Anniversary tour which will feature a performance of their album Houdini as well as portions of Mangled Demos. That tour impacts NYC on FRIDAY (5/15). Tickets are still available. Seriously?

Meanwhile, ex-Melvins bassist Joe Preston will also be in town. He brings his solo project Thrones 'round the bend for No Fun Fest at the MHOW on May 15th, a show on May 21st at Coco66 with Blues Control, and one on May 22nd with Wolves in The Throne Room at Europa (tickets for Europa still on sale).

Like passing strangers, the other half of the USUAL Melvins lineup, Big Business, played both Mercury Lounge and Union Pool with Tweak Bird last weekend. The two pairs will reunite to play ATP NY with Animal Collective, Jesus Lizard, The Flaming Lips, Boredoms, and more.

Joe Preston's (old???) band, Harvey Milk, will be in Brooklyn at MHOW on July 26th with Torche (tickets still on sale).

King Buzzo of the Melvins was on Red Eye (again) last night. That video and Melvins & Thrones tour dates are below....

Continue reading "Melvins almost here, Thrones too - 2009 Tour Dates"

Fucked Up @ Market Hotel last week (more by Edwina Hay)


Fox News video below...

Continue reading "Fucked Up on Fox News (video)"

NY Press: How did you guys end up spending so much time on the bus?

The Walkmen's Hamilton Leithauser: I live in Manhattan, Pete and Walt live in Brooklyn, and Matt and Paul live in Philadelphia. We were doing the trip two days a week and they were coming up once or twice as well-- sometimes neither camp wanted to make the trip. It was actually probably a good thing for writing, because it put a certain pressure on the times the five of us were together. Our practice space in Chelsea was an on-again-off-again illegal nightclub, so some Mondays we'd come in and the place would be absolutely disgusting--poorly cleaned up vomit on the stage and bottles everywhere. The toilets, which were on the second floor, leaked and dripped down through the ceiling, so occasionally it would hit you on the head. In Philadelphia, we rented a space from our friends for $75 a month...If it's moderately cold outside, it's 20 degrees colder inside, and vice versa if it's hot.

They do it again tonight with The Muslims who are also playing Union Pool on Wednesday with Howlies.

by Black Bubblegum

And behold, King Buzzo of The Melvins shouted down upon the five boroughs.... there will be rock. The ashen-haired lord decreed a visit by Big Business and a surprise (to me anyway) opening set by Porn at the Bowery Ballroom (August 14, 2008). And it was good. Real good.

Well, except until moshers possibly cost everyone an encore. Buzzo was clearly irritated but expressed it calmly and with his trademark humor:

"I'm not Wavy Gravy. It isn't all about peace and love"

"Captain" Jared (also of Big Business) looked a little more peeved and menacing. Even while wearing a white suit and an utterly ridiculous sailor cap.

"Are you gonna' apologize to that girl you just kicked in the head?"

The discussion went on for another minute or so and in alot of ways reminded me of the "ice cream eating motherfucker" incident captured on the Fugazi Instrument DVD.

Until that moment (and after that) the Melvins were, as the Brits might say, "smashing". Tighter than a Kim Kardashian skirt, the band covered most of (A) Senile Animal and Nude with Boots, even paying tribute to The Who by covering "My Generation" in a way that only they could. The Dale Crover/Coady Willis two drum attack, while in alot of ways unnecessary, sounded fantastic in that room, but dwarfed the guitars. Buzzo and Jared's voices mesh together seemlessly and judging by the current poppy-Melvins phase the band is going through, Jared is a great addition on bass.

After "the incident", the band closed with Bullhead fave "Boris" (yes, the one that the band takes their name from) closing with Buzzo solo on guitar. I have seen my share of shows (of varying genres) at Bowery, and rarely have I seen a show peppered with as many whistles and "woo!"s as on Thursday night... Great, but I also could have used a little bit of Houdini or Stoner Witch era jams.

The same lineup played Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brookln one day earlier. Buzzo also appeared on Fox News yesterday. Video from that is below...

Continue reading "Melvins played 2 NYC shows and....Fox News (video)"

by Black Bubblegum

Nas at Fox News - July 23, 2008 (ColorOfChange.Org)

Nasty Nas showed up in Midtown yesterday, for a little while at least. Nas lead a protest by ColorOfChange.Org at the house O'Reilly built (aka Fox News) in order to hand deliver a petition of 620,127 signatures charging the network with racist reporting. The petition alleges that the network is inherently racist, pointing to several incidents involving Barack Obama and his treatment by the network. The incidents in question include referring to Michelle Obama as "Obama's baba mama", alluding to the assassination of Obama, and referring to the infamous onstage fist pound as a "terrorist fist jab" (an obvious Obama-Osama dig).

Nas said, "Fox poisons the country with racist propaganda and tries to call it news". Fox News responded, "Fox News believes in all protesters exercising their right to free speech including Nas who has an album to promote."

After the protest, Nas showed up at The Colbert Report to discuss "papa bear" (Colbert's nickname for O'Reilly) and Fox News, as well as perform "Sly Fox" (about guess what), a song from his new album titled, um, Untitled. Nas & Bill O'Reilly have been feuding, with Nas even challenging him to a debate.

Ah... Nasty Nas. Now, if we can just get him to show up on record again.

Nas is touring with Talib Kweli, including one date at Rock The Bells with A Tribe Called Quest at Jones Beach and another far more intimate one at Toad's Place in New Haven, CT. Nas's former co-conspirator AZ is playing the Knitting Factory with Sadat X (but you can call him X-Man).

Fox News & Colbert Report videos below...

Continue reading "Nas protests Fox News, appears on Colbert Report (videos)"

Silver Jews' Drag City labelmate Neil Hamburger will appear at Knitting Factory in NYC on July 13th. Daiquiri , Andrea Rosen & Chelsea Peretti are also on the bill. Tickets are on sale. The show is part of new batch of tour dates that you will find below along with a video from a recent appearance Neil made on Fox News to promote his new album "Neil Hamburger Sings Country Songs" .....

Continue reading "Neil Hamburger - 2008 Tour Dates & Fox News video"