by Bill Pearis

Closing in on the band's 25th anniversary, Giant Sand will release their new album, Tuscon, on June 12. It's a road trip rock opera that has expanded the group's scope and sound, to the point that founder Howe Gelb has renamed it Giant Giant Sand. We've got the premiere of one of Tuscon's tracks, "Detained," which you can stream at the bottom of this post.

While no word yet on the U.S. live debut of this bigger version of his group, Gelb is playing Thursday (5/10) at Joe's Pub . Gelb and the rest of Giant Giant Sand will spend most of the summer in Europe and the Netherlands (which much of his group call home) playing festivals and other shows. All 2012 Giant Sand and Howe Gelb tour dates are listed, along with the "Detained" stream and Tuscon tracklist and artwork, below...

Continue reading "Giant Sand now Giant Giant Sand, releasing 'Tuscon' (song premiere); Howe Gelb touring, playing Joe's Pub"

Mountain Goats @ Knitting Factory, Halloween 2005 (more)

As previously mentioned, John Wesley Harding is holding a "Cabinet of Wonders" variety show at NYC's City Winery on October 28th with Hamilton Leithauser (The Walkmen), Eugene Mirman, John Hodgman, Emma Straub, Paul Harding, and more TBA. Since our last mention, two very special guests have been added to the bill: Craig Finn (The Hold Steady) and John Darnielle (The Mountain Goats). Hopefully you didn't sleep on tickets because the show is now sold out.

Tickets are however on sale now for A Haunted Hot Tub Halloween at Littlefield, also a comedy and music variety show, happening one day later (10/29) with Kristen Schaal, Kurt Braunohler, Wyatt Cenac, Andres du Bouchet, and... John Darnielle, and more.

Tickets are also on sale for Hot Tub on 10/10 and 10/17.

Tickets are also still on sale for the 11/18 Cabinet of Wonders at City Winery with The Blue Fisherman (from Edinburgh, Scotland), Howe Gelb, Myla Goldberg, Ted Leo, Eugene Mirman, Audrey Niffenegger AND "Plus for this Cabinet of Wonders, and this Cabinet of Wonders only, the House Band will be THE KING CHARLES TRIO, comprising: Peter Buck (REM), Jenny Conlee-Drizos, Chris Funk, John Wesley Harding (Appearing as Himself), Scott McCaughey (The Minus Five), John Moen, and Nate Query." That's a lot of Decemberists. More upcoming JWH shows HERE

Speaking of Ted Leo and Craig Finn, both are scheduled to make appearances at the BrooklynVegan-presented Replacements tribute shows happening at Bowery Electric in November. The previously announced two shows (and movie screenings) are sold out, BUT a third tribute concert - a late one on 11/17, has been added. Tickets for the new show are on sale. More info HERE.

Mountain Goats dates and flyers below...

Continue reading "3rd Replacements tribute show added, John Darnielle schedules guest appearances, Craig Finn too"