Them Crooked Vultures at Coachella 2010 (more by Rachel Carr)

Father of two Robert McIndoe, 52, was unable to sleep for three months after going to a rock concert that left him with a permanent ringing in his ear. He was watching supergroup 'Them Crooked Vultures' at Brixton Academy.
In the coming months Mr McIndoe faced an uphill struggle to to get proper treatment for the condition, Southwark Coroner's Court heard.
His wife eventually received a letter of referral to a hospital ear, nose and throat specialist on November 1 last year - the day after he apparently killed himself.
Shirley McIndoe told the hearing that the day after the gig last July, her husband was "cross with himself" for not taking ear plugs.
She said: "When it first happened he wasn't too bothered about it because he thought it would subside, and the friend he had been with also had ringing in his ears that day.
"But it was a constant irritation.
"He didn't get a night of sleep after that until he went to hospital."-[Telegraph]

Super sad. (wear your earplugs!)

photos by Andrew St. Clair

"The doors opened at 7:30 and Robert Plant and the Band of Joy hit the stage just after 9 pm. I stood front row, center stage (my usual spot), but tonight this spot was extra magical. I was inches from where Robert Plant's lyric book was and for the entire show, I was less than 2 feet away from him. During the concert, my brain would suddenly shout out - "you are close enough to reach out and touch the lead singer of Led Zeppelin, a band whose music has shaped your life." Needless to say, I broke into tears many times during the night." [According to G]

While many were watching a mildly-amusing and vodka-soaked host introduce a woman in a meatsuit, Robert Plant and fans squeezed their way into Bowery Ballroom last night (9/12) for a rare appearance at the venue in preparation for Band of Joy, the legendary frontman's latest solo LP (he spent the last few years dabbling in country rhythms with Alison Krauss). Band of Joy is not just Robert Plant's latest post-Zep LP/moniker, but a calling card to his olden days with Bonzo; before joining Jimmy Page & John Paul Jones in Led Zeppelin, Plant and John Bonham served in a psychedelic folk band called Band of Joy.

Robert Plant's band included vocalist Patty Griffin, guitarist Buddy Miller, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Daryl Scott, bassist-vocalist Byron House, and drummer-percussionist-vocalist Marco Giovino.

"The Band of Joy played songs from their self-titled album, 2 of my favorite tracks off "Raising Sand," Plant's Grammy winning album with Alison Krauss, ("Please Read the Letter" and "Rich Woman,") and they also reinterpreted 4 Led Zeppelin songs ("Misty Mountain Hop," "Houses of the Holy," "Gallows Pole," and "Rock and Roll.")" [According to G]

The whole setlist, with more pictures and some videos (including two of the reworked Zep classics), below...

Continue reading "Robert Plant, Patty Griffin & Band (Of Joy) played Bowery Ballroom (pics, video, setlist) "

by Andrew Frisicano

DOWNLOAD: The Almighty Defenders - Bow Down and Die (MP3)

It's supergroup day on BrooklynVegan. Some of it is catch up news. We have a new MP3 and tour dates from the new Black Keys-related Drummer band, and then there's the signing of Dum Dum Girls whose first live show over the weekend brought together member of four other bands. Jack White's new supergroup The Dead Weather is streaming their new album today, and we finally did a post on the Monsters of Folk album (Bright Eyes+My Morning Jacket+M Ward). Supergroups are not to be confused with side projects which were sort of a theme today too - first with Wolf Parade-related Handsome Furs, and then the Mazzy Star/My Bloody Valentine-related Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions (which I guess could be considered a supergroup too). Next up....

The Almighty Defenders (Black Lips + King Khan + BBQ)

The Almighty Defenders, a meeting of might between Atlanta garage goblins The Black Lips, Berlin-based soul punker King Khan, and Mr. BBQ himself, Mark Sultan. Conceived during the Lips' Berlin exile (after their VBS-documented ejection from India), the band's self-titled debut is a madcap, liquor-drenched revival, a blissfully fucked up realization of one of garage rock's most fitting collaborations. "Bow Down And Die," the "booming, chivalrous third song," is an off kilter, beer-swilling chant-along that borrows just as much from choral church music as it does from skuzzball rock n roll.

You can check out that song above. The band's self-titled debut is set to come out September 22nd on Vice. Clips of the group live are below.

No tour dates for the Almighty Defenders yet, but The Black Lips will be at the July 26th Williamsburg Waterfront Pool Party, playing with Health, Grupo Fantasma and Trail of Dead. The Black Lips are actually one of the only artists to play a 'Pool Party' two years in a row. Ironically(?), when they played last year, it was on the same bill as King Khan. Maybe they'll bring him along again, or maybe they should just make an Almighty Defenders show which would be cool.

The Black Lips are also playing a few other festivals this summer, including Pitchfork Fest and Seattle's Capitol Hill Block Party. The band was recently featured on the soundtrack of the Gael Garcia Bernal & Diego Luna film Rudo Y Cursi, which came out in May. That disc includes contributions by Devendra Banhart, Juana Molina (who's playing tonight, July 8th, in Central Park) and even Bernal himself. Album art and tracklist for that below.

Bernal is hardly the only actor getting into music these days. Dead Man's Bones, the combo of actors Zach Shields and Ryan Gosling, is set to release a self-titled album, produced by Tim Anderson of I'm A Robot, October 6th on Anti-. Silverlake Conservatory Children's Choir, who you can see below, also pitched in vocals. Two videos of the band are below.

You can catch a different kind of supergroup in NYC at the Bowery Ballroom on August 1st. Dangerous, an "All Metal Tribute To Michael Jackson," features members of Tragedy (the "Heavy Metal Tribute to the Bee Gees" who are playing the Beach at Governors Island this summer) and the 2 Skinnee Js. Tickets to that are on sale now.

And if that's not enough...

Members of Led Zeppelin, Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age are working together on a new project...The as-yet-unnamed supergroup unites Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones, Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme, and lead Foo Fighter (né Nirvana drummer) Dave Grohl. The trio are presently in Los Angeles, recording their debut album.[Guardian UK]

John Paul Jones also recently worked with Sonic Youth.

Check out Almighty Defenders videos, album art and tracklist, with Rudo Y Cursi album info and Dead Man's Bones videos, below...

Continue reading "Supergroup day continues: Zeppelin/Grohl/QOTSA, Almighty Defenders (Black Lips+King Khan), Dead Man's Bones, more"

photos by Stephanie Berger

"It is not unusual these days to hear Merce Cunningham called the world's greatest living choreographer. I go further: I have long thought that he is the greatest living artist since the death of Samuel Beckett, almost 20 years ago.

His latest world premiere, "Nearly Ninety," presented at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on Thursday (his 90th birthday), is not a perfect work of art...

...The music, composed and performed by John Paul Jones, Takehisa Kosugi and Sonic Youth (Kim Gordon, Thurston Moore, Lee Ranaldo, Steve Shelley), sounds now like a rock musician's worst hangover, as if the pot and the kettle were calling each other every color under the sun before settling down and breeding a whole tribe of tintinnabulations. One powerful guitar chord out of the blue happened on Thursday to coincide with the most electrifying gear change in the Goggans-Squire duet, but even such moments are mere effects... [NY Times]

The show's 4th of four performances takes place today, Sunday the 19th, at BAM. More pictures below...

Continue reading "Merce Cunningham at 90 - Sonic Youth, John Paul Jones & more @ BAM, Brooklyn - pics"

"April 16 marks the 90th birthday of Merce Cunningham--one of the most important choreographers of our time--whose radical approaches to space, time, and technology continue to redefine the way we experience dance. Over the course of his celebrated career, he has forged a distinctive language of movement, illuminating the body's inherent drama and limitless capacity for change. And as a longtime collaborator of John Cage, Robert Rauschenberg, and Jasper Johns, he has played a leading role in fostering innovation across art forms.

In celebration of his birthday, Merce Cunningham Dance Company returns to BAM with the world premiere of a dazzling evening-length work created in collaboration with and performed live by underground rock legend Sonic Youth, former Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones, and mixed-media sound composer Takehisa Kosugi. With an intriguing multi-tiered décor by world-renowned architect Benedetta Tagliabue, lighting by Tony and Obie-winning designer Brian MacDevitt, and costumes by Romeo Gigli, this new masterpiece is testament to the boundless imagination of a man who, on the cusp of his ninth decade, still keeps us on our toes."

This show is happening at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House on Apr 16 at 7pm, Apr 17 & 18 at 7:30pm, and Apr 19 at 3pm. Its running time is 90min with intermission. Tickets are ON SALE (thx Hiro).

It's not totally clear to me if Sonic Youth will be playing any of their own songs at the four BAM performances (I'm looking into though). What they'll decide to put on the setlist at the No Fun Fest show they're playing in Brooklyn in May is also somewhat of a mystery.

Sonic Youth's 16th album, 'The Eternal', is out via Matador Records on June 9th. Maybe we'll get a plain old Sonic Youth concert some time around then.

Alison Krauss & Robert Plant @ ACL 2008 (more by Kyle Dean Reinford)

Rounder Records, a venerable independent label based in the Northeast, released "Raising Sand," and it has become one of its biggest hits. Its multiple nominations were old hat for Alison Krauss, who before Sunday had already won 21 Grammy Awards. But none was for a project quite this adventurous.

"We ostensibly come from such different places on the musical map," Robert Plant said in a media conference backstage Sunday. "Alison showed me so much I had never been exposed to."

That Plant is still learning new tricks is a testament to his artistry. That he's not touring with a reunited Led Zeppelin is a sign of enduring integrity. That's a lot of money to be passing up, even if "Raising Sand" did win five Grammys.

But Plant was having none of it. The singer again was confronted with the inevitable question Sunday about his future involvement in any Zeppelin tour.

"How old are you, man?" Plant responded. "Because you look older than me. You try to do 'Communication Breakdown' in these pants." [Chicago Tribune]

Pics from their MSG Theater show, HERE.

by Black Bubblegum

Led Zeppelin in Central Park, 1969

"As you probably know, Jimmy [Page], Jason [Bonham, son of John Bonham] and I are actually rehearsing and we've had the odd singer come in and have a bash. As soon as we know -- which we don't -- we will let you know. But we really hope that something is going to happen soon because we really want to do it and we're having a lot of fun, actually, just rehearsing. Jason is actually tremendous. . . We really wanna do something and Robert doesn't want to do this, at least for the moment. I don't really know what his plans are. He really doesn't want to make loud music anymore. We do. I mean, I love acoustic music, but it doesn't stop me from turning something up . . . And what we've done so far sounds absolutely fantastic. When it does come, it will come, and you'll know about it."

That quote is John Paul Jones speaking on the current status of Led Zeppelin. To that Robert would probably say he wishes them "nothing but success". Video of John's full statement below.

Led Zeppelin, Robert included, reunited in December of 2007 in tribute of Atlantic Records impresario Ahmet Ertegun.

Robert Plant has otherwise been keeping busy with the "acoustic" music he's making with Alison Krauss. Video below...

Continue reading "Led Zeppelin to tour with a new singer? John Jones speaks"

photos by Kyle Dean Reinford

Robert Plant never said yes, and it looks like he won't.

The Led Zeppelin singer has quashed a report last Friday in the British newspaper The Sun that claimed he was rejoining guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist John Paul Jones and drummer Jason Bonham for a 2009 Led Zeppelin world tour. Later Friday, an Australian report said the tour would begin in May.

In a statement released on his behalf yesterday, however, handlers announced that Plant will take some time off from the road following his current trek with Alison Krauss -- in support of their Raising Sand album -- which concludes Sunday in Saratoga, Calif.

"After those dates, Robert has no intention whatsoever of touring with anyone for at least the next two years," the statement said. "Contrary to a spate of recent reports, Robert Plant will not be touring or recording with Led Zeppelin. Anyone buying tickets online to any such event will be buying bogus tickets."

Plant himself added his own remarks, stating it was time for everyone to get on with their own plans.

"It's both frustrating and ridiculous for this story to continue to rear its head when all the musicians that surround the story are keen to get on with their individual projects and move forward," he said. "I wish Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham nothing but success with any future projects."
[Winnipeg Sun]

On Saturday, Robert & Alison played a set at the Austin City Limits music festival. More pictures from that below...

Continue reading "Robert Plant & Alison Krauss played Austin City Limits (pics), Led Zeppelin not touring in 2009 (says Robert)"

photos by Eric M. Townsend

The extroverted Plant and introverted Krauss met halfway on the album, and they did so onstage at the Borgata Sunday night, entering with big smiles from opposite sides as the band kicked into "Rich Woman," the New Orleans hit from the mid-1950s.

What followed was a two-hour, country music-style revue, with the two singing in unison sometimes, but with Plant taking the lead for a few songs, then Krauss, then both stepping aside for Burnett to sing a few. [Philadelphia Inquirer]

These pictures are from the Tuesday night show at the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden. The same show happens in the same venue again tonight (June 11, 2008). More tour dates HERE. More MSG pics below....

Continue reading "Robert Plant & Alison Krauss @ MSG Theater, NYC - pics"

Bradford Cox (CRED)

Tickets went on sale this morning for the June 10th Robert Plant/Anlison Krauss MSG Theatre show. They are just about sold out. Tickets go on sale Monday March 10th (11am) for a 2nd show at the same venue one day later (June 11th). Learn more about how Robert & Alison got together in the video below....

Continue reading "Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - 2nd NYC show added, video "

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss are announced their 2008 U.S tour today. That includes Bonnaroo, and a show at the Theater At Madison Square Garden in NYC on June 10th. Tickets ($99.50, $79.50, $59.50 & $39.50) are cheaper (not that they'll be that cheap when and if Robert plays NYC with Led Zeppelin) than tickets to see Kanye West who is playing in the larger stadium next door (where Led Zeppelin will probably play if and when they decide to again). NYC show details, and more dates, below...

Continue reading "Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - 2008 Tour Dates "

Lez Zeppelin is playing Bonnaroo

No Led Zeppelin, but there is LEZ Zeppelin, Robert Plant and Metallica. Also Pearl Jam, Kanye West, Sigur Ros, Levon Helm, M.I.A., Mastodon, Sharon Jones, and many, many more.....

Continue reading "Bonnaroo 2008 - Initial Artist Lineup"

Craig Wedren & Nicole Atkins @ Bowery Ballroom, Jan 25, 2008 (music snob)

* Supergrass signs to Astralwerks
* U2's manager says take away your Internet
* Led Zeppelin may tour, but not yet
* Robert Plant talked/stuttered about MSG, at MSG
* Rap mogul "Suge" Knight named in gang crackdown
* Lil Wayne Addresses Drug Charges
* Arctic Monkeys get record seven NME nominations
* Imeem Buys Social Music Service Anywhere.FM
* Sony Ericsson cuts deals with 10 music labels
* Qtrax didn't make a deal with any

Super Furry Animals @ Music Hall, Jan 25, 2008 (Ryan Dombal)

Unlike in their hellraising heyday, singer ROBERT PLANT and guitarist JIMMY PAGE slapped each other on the back and were handed giant mugs of hot drinks. But then the rock fighting talk began and they discussed returning to Madison Square Garden in New York - where they did three sell-out shows in 1973. My source backstage at London’s O2 arena said: “Robert had a couple of bottles of beer before going on stage but afterwards it was just hot mugs of tea and coffee. The band were really fired up and were talking about their late drummer JOHN BONHAM and what he would have thought about it - it was a time for reflection. Then the talk went to, ‘What next? Was this it or would there be something else?’ One of the guys started talking about their three concerts at the Garden. There was a consensus of, ‘Why not?’ It is one of the best live music venues in the world. I have no doubt after their reaction backstage that they will be there next year playing to a sell-out crowd.” [The Sun]

Check out more photos from the show. (thx Eric)

an Ahmet Ertegun Tribute....

continued below....

Continue reading "Led Zeppelin reunion concert photos & setlist"

some Led Zeppelin fans queued overnight or longer even though they have guaranteed tickets for the show tonight

More than one million people applied in a lottery for one of the 20,000 seats. Tickets have been snapped up for over £1,000 on sites such as eBay - but buyers are warned they could be turned away.

All registered ticket holders have to pick up their tickets in person with photo ID and they are then given a sealed wristband that cannot be taken off until after the concert.

Although rumours are abuzz that Led Zeppelin may embark on a full reunion tour, the band have officially declared tonight is a one-off concert and have promised to sing their best known songs including "Stairway To Heaven" and "Whole Lotta Love".

The arena's corporate hospitality boxes will include Paul and Stella McCartney, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Dave Grohl and Jeremy Clarkson. [Daily Mail]

the first in a series where we asked comedians to tell us what was good this year....

Dave Hill is a great man. He's a very busy musician, comedian, actor, writer, and taste-maker. He's got his own show on Mojo called King of Miami as well as a recurring live comedy/variety/chat show in NYC called The Dave Hill Explosion. You can also catch Mr. Hill tearing his audience a new one as guitarsmith for the band Children of the Unicorn. Mr. Hill took time out of his insane schedule to give BV readers his list of the best music to come out of 2007. -Klaus

---

It usually takes me a couple years to realize that an album has come out, but here is some of the stuff I managed to discover in a timely fashion this year:

BLACK SABBATH, The Dio Years- No matter what someone might be talking about, if they are able to make reference to “the Dio years” at some point you know it’s got to be pretty magical. In a perfect world, “Heaven and Hell” would just blast repeatedly from loudspeakers everywhere, all the time. Also, people would carry torches.

RUFUS WAINWRIGHT, Release the Stars- Rufus is one of few musicians today that people will still listen to in a hundred years and stuff. Plus, he wears lederhosen on stage, which just makes everything sound better if you ask me.

HIGH ON FIRE, Death Is This Communion- There are so many hot riffs on this record that I feel like whipping my dick out or something.

NEW PORNOGRAPHERS, Challengers- There are so many hot melodies on this record that I feel like whipping my dick out or something.

DOWN, Over the Under- This is not the best album by this band. Still, I think it’s important to support evil (and heavy riffs played by men with beards while wearing black sleeveless T-shirts) in all its forms, so I’m standing behind this one.

Continued below....

Continue reading "Best of 2007 by Dave Hill"

Sucks for those who bought plane tickets...

Led Zeppelin is postponing its one-off London comeback concert after guitarist Jimmy Page suffered a broken finger last weekend. The show, which was set for Nov. 26 at the 02 Arena, will now be held Dec. 10. [Billboard]

What a drag. And in somewhat related news (reunions, drags, etc), Superdrag (a band I know nothing about, and thus procrastinated posting about all the way until now) reunited and is playing The Fillmore at Irving Plaza in NYC tonight (Nov 2, 2007). They also play November 3rd in Boston, and on the 8th in DC. There are still tickets available.

* Led Zeppelin will not tour
* The Verve announce more UK tour dates
* Sex Pistols to warm up in U.S. for British tour
* Led Zeppelin Passcodes: Almost As Hot As Hannah Montana Tickets

"The concert is expected to coincide with the release of a new two-CD best of compilation, Mothership, on 13 November." [BBC]

"Shepard Fairey, the artist/designer/illustrator who created the Andre the Giant Has a Posse sticker campaign and whose artwork graces album covers for artists like The Black Eyed Peas, 311, and the Smashing Pumpkins, announced last Friday that he has been commissioned by Led Zeppelin to design the packaging for their forthcoming Mothership greatest-hits collection." [The Daily Swarm]