Iggy Pop supports Michigan State University's decision to ban animal circuses from campus in 2009 and hopes the school will make the ban permanent.

"As students who are concerned about animal welfare have told you, performing animals are deprived of everything that is natural to them, including the ability to roam, forage and form families and friendships," Pop said in a letter to the MSU Board of Trustees. It was written on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

PETA says the board of trustees decided not to allow the Royal Hanneford Circus (or any others with animal performers) on campus in 2009, for the first time in 16 years. But what about 2010?

"The circus industry is big, wealthy and powerful, and I'm sure that its leaders are encouraging you to reverse your decision," Pop said in his letter.

"I implore you to continue to keep the interests of your students and the welfare of animals at the forefront of your thoughts and stand firm on your policy." [Detroit Free Press]

Iggy, who has a new near-jazz record on the way, is confirmed to appear at the previously-mentioned Road Recovery Benefit happening at Nokia Theatre in NYC on May 1st...

An evening of high-energy rock and roll that's going to be "just loose enough musically that anything might happen," jokes Wayne Kramer... Perry Farrell (Jane's Addiction), Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine/ Audioslave / The Nightwatchman), Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains), Wayne Kramer (MC5), Don Was, Billy Bragg, Iggy Pop, Boots Riley, Gilby Clarke, Carl Restivo, Eric Gardner, Bun E. Carlos, Handsome Dick Manitoba performing songs together and individually from their respective catalogs, as well as collaborating on MC5 songs and anything else that strikes their fancy

Also joining the show will be Joan As Police Woman, Ours, Miggs, and Road Recovery's Performance Workshop Program "House Band" Crazy James
Emcee: Matt Pinfield (Sirius Radio and RXP 101.9FM DJ)

Joan as Policewoman opened for Neko Case at the same venue on Tuesday.

Kick Out the Jams (video) below...

Continue reading "Iggy Pop playing Road Recovery show, speaks up on circuses"

somewhere in NYC, frighteningprospect.com (pic by mediafury)

today in NYC
* Dance
* Election-related events
* Mr Lif @ Knitting Factory
* Clues @ Exit Art Gallery
* The Black Crowes @ Town Hall
* Woods, MV & EE @ Death By Audio
* Keren Ann & Avishai Cohen @ Joe's Pub
* Rival Schools, Innaway & The King Left @ Maxwell's

Diplo will be playing on Current TV. Eugene Mirman is hosting at the Bell House. Patton Oswalt is live-blogging for Comedy Central. John Zorn is playing Judson Church.

Fred "Sonic" Smith of MC5 died today in 1994.

Do you know where you're supposed to vote?

Daft (Punk) the Vote. Video below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Tuesday? (Election Day)"

Tom Morello, Zach de la Rocha & Flobots MC Jamie Laurie, a.k.a. Jonny 5

Joined by like-minded anti-war rockers State Radio, The Coup, Flobots, Jello Biafra and Wayne Kramer from the MC5, Rage Against the Machine headlined an impassioned midday concert at the Denver Coliseum featuring the band's hits, political speeches and calls for nonviolence.

More than anything, the concert was a respectful nod to Iraq Veterans Against the War, which, along with Tent State, mounted the show to call attention to their agenda: Encouraging a hasty end to the war, providing veterans with comprehensive healthcare, and rebuilding Iraq.

After the headliners capped off a loud, amped up performance with the fan favorite "Killin in the name," Rage guitarist Tom Morello called on the roughly 8,000 concertgoers to join him and other entertainers in a march for peace to the Pepsi Center.

"We're going right now," he said. "We'll meet you outside." [Denver Post]

DENVER COLISEUM -- The Iraqi Veterans Against the War took the stage and read an open letter to Barack Obama demanding he solidify his commitment against the war as the crowd chanted "U.S.A! U.S.A!"

Then Rage Against the Machine came onstage, gave the vets a military salute and burst into the explosive set that has made their live shows legendary. Kicking off with "Guerrilla Radio," the band blasted through crowd-pleasers like "Bulls On Parade."

Wayne Kramer of the MC5 soon joined them for the anthem "Kick Out the Jams." Before they started, Kramer reminded everyone why they were here.

"Forty years ago we went to Chicago to protest an illegal war we were lied into. Today we're in Denver to protest an illegal war we were lied into," he told the crowd. [Rocky Mountain News]

last night (April 17, 2008) in NYC....

More than a few special guests (and I don't mean the protesters) showed up to the opening party/benefit inside the John Varvatos store (aka CBGB) on the Bowery last night (April 17, 2008). All photos by Randy Haecker, and there's more where they came from at his Flickr.

A lot of these guys were in town to play a different benefit show the night before.