by Black Bubblegum

Blur @ Rough Trade East

What happens when you take a recently disassembled New Order, subtract one, and add in a partial Blur. Apparently, you get an Abel Ferrara film starring Harvey Keitel. Confused?

Frontman Bernard Sumner, drummer Stephen Morris and guitarist Phil Cunningham have joined with Blur's Alex James for Bad Lieutenant's debut album, due in October. "I'm very proud of it, it's a very good album," Sumner told the BBC. "It's pretty guitary too because we've got three guitarists in the band." There may yet be more guitarists added - Sumner has promised that other Manchester musicians are to join the "collective" on tour. -[The Guardian]

Around 10:42, Graham Coxon's Twitter page gave the game away, rallying the troops to Brixton Academy for eighteen minutes later. A mad dash over the river, through the market and into the unnervingly miniscule queue ensued and fifteen minutes later, wrists were endowed with shining green/ gold dust wristbands emblazoned with the band's now iconic freeform font. All that was left to do was wait.... Until eventually, ...phones and electronic inboxes alike were bombarded with conclusive info as to the wheres and then the whens; Rough Trade East, on stage at 7pm sharp, no arrivals before half six for fear of jeopardising the whole shebang.

...Rough Trade is transformed into the best garage gig never to entail smashed windscreens as involuntary feedback rasps through the murky humidity of an Amazonian rainforest. Invigorating, inspiring and utterly unmissable, the reunion never sounded so victorious. - [Virgin Blog]

The recent shows in the UK are only a handful of their upcoming festival-heavy schedule. Check that out, as well as setlists from both nights and video from last night, below...

Continue reading "Blur played some shows (setlists, video, more dates) + Alex James & most of New Order form Bad Lieutenant "

by Black Bubblegum

"I would imagine the RORSCHACH reunion shows also deserve a mention" - [BV commenter frosty]

Charles Maggio of Rorschach circa early 1990s

Rorschach was a New Jersey-based band that existed from 1989 to 1993. The group often blended hardcore punk and dissonant elements of metal providing the inspiration to a number of hardcore and post hardcore bands thereafter.

The first release by the band, Remain Sedate, shows the band's sound at a stage when they played fast, heavy hardcore with a metal slant and raspy hardcore vocals. At this time they also drew heavy comparisons to Die Kreuzen for their bizarre chord progressions and Charles Maggio's unearthly howl. However, as the band progressed, they developed a slower, more sinister, sludge sound that was influenced by fellow New York band the Swans. Additionally, the vocals developed into high-pitched, tortured screaming rather than shouting, due in part to voice problems Maggio was experiencing at the time. This change in sound can be heard primarily on their second full-length release, Protestant. Shortly after issuing this album, the group disbanded, some members eventually joining Deadguy. - [Wiki]

Also of note, Charles Maggio went on to found Gern Blandsten Records, one time home to Chisel, Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, The Van Pelt, Dalek, Garden Variety, Radio 4, and many others.

The Van Pelt reunited for a show at SXSW, AND for one happening this Saturday in Brooklyn as part of the Northside Festival. The Brooklyn show, that the band curated, is at Coco66 and also includes Ghost Gamblers, The Holy Childhood, and Beats Antique on the bill. The entire Northside Fest kicks off today (6/11).

Other recently announced reunions: 1.6 Band and Errortype:11.

Rorschach videos below...

Continue reading "Rorschach playing reunion shows soon ++ Van Pelt Saturday"

by Black Bubblegum

It's a common tale of post-hardcore life: Four young, angry men form a band. They write songs, break strings, and pop blisters playing the deafening music of youthful discontent, traveling the country one dank, cat-hair-filled basement at a time. Then they break up and get real jobs. Years later, some Europeans e-mail them looking for leftover T-shirts and the spark is reignited. This isn't exactly what happened to 1.6 Band, but it's pretty representative. And now, thank god, the New York quartet has hit the reunion stage of their careers. Back when Long Island was still raging against George Bush Sr., 1.6 Band was the East Coast's answer to the Minutemen--using head-spinning rhythms, shouted vocals, and flinty guitar to bring politics down to street level. -[DC City Paper]

1.6 Band came up in the early 90s NYC hardcore scene, formed by Kevin Egan in the wake of the collapse of Beyond (a band whose other members included Tom Capone & Alan Cage of Quicksand, and Vic DiCara of 108, Burn, & Inside Out). Beyond reunited in 2006.

In 1.6 Band's short lifespan (1991 - 1993), the band released a few 7"s (including a split with the mighty Rorschach), appeared on some compilations (with the likes of Nation of Ulysses), and released an LP, all of which was compiled for a 1995 compilation on Gern Blandsten entitled Broke Up.

Tour dates below...

Continue reading "1.6 Band reuniting - playing DC, WFMU & Cake Shop (dates)"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Errortype:11 - "Better Than The Superbowl" (MP3)

Post-hardcore/emo-y NYCers, Errortype:11 will play a reunion show at Mercury Lounge on August 8th with Joshua English (ex. Six Going On Seven), and I Hate Our Freedom. Tickets are on sale. Pilot To Gunner was also originally scheduled to play the show, but has cancelled.

"Errortype: Eleven was formed in 1998 shortly after the demise of World's Fastest Car, the Walter Schreifels-led band [Arthur Shepherd, Guitar] had joined the year before. Over the years, band members included Phil Hanratty, Adam Marino (Saetia), Scott Martin, Erik Matheu, Keith Moore, Sammy Siegler (CIV, Gorilla Biscuits, many others), and Ty Krek. ET11 released their S/T debut as well as their follow-up, Amplified to Rock, on Schriefels's imprint Some Records, with the The Crank EP appearing on (you guessed it) Crank in 1999. The band toured the US and UK and eventually split in 2002 when Phil Hhanratty left the band. The remaining members went on to form Instruction with Tom Capone (Quicksand)

Videos below...

Continue reading "Errortype:11 reunion show ++ Walter Schreifels tix on sale"

by Black Bubblegum

The Van Pelt @ SXSW 2009 (more here)

After posting The Van Pelt review from SXSW, someone wrote, "more shows now please!" In the immortal words of Mary Kate / Ashley Olsen circa Full House... "You got it dude!"

The Van Pelt will curate and play their first-ever Brooklyn show at Coco 66 on June 13th as part of the Northside Festival. The Holy Childhood and Ghost Gamblers are along for the ride. Doors are at 8PM, $10 or your Northside badge gets you in.

The Van Pelt also has at least one other show on their calendar... The Black Cat in Washington DC with Frodus on June 20th, one of three dates left for Frodus.

A video of the Van Pelt playing a show in Germany in 1997, below...

Continue reading "the Van Pelt playing NYC (Northside Festival) & DC (Frodus)"

by Black Bubblegum

Dear friends,

After 3 1/2 long years, Cave In has decided to end its hiatus. Please join us for an EP release show at Great Scott's (1222 Commonwealth Ave., Allston MA) on Sunday, July 19th @ 9PM. Also playing will be our friends Disappearer and Phantom Glue. Copies of the "Planets Of Old" limited 12" (recorded by Adam Taylor, Alex Hartman & Johnny Northrup @ Camp St. Studio) from Hydra Head Records will be available that night.

We hope to see your lovely selves.

Steve, Adam, J.R., Caleb
CAVE IN

According to the Boston Phoenix, it's the Jupiter-era version of the band that's getting back together to release this vinyl-only EP on Hydra Head. Cave In went on hiatus in 2006, splintering into a solo projects, Clouds, Zozobra, Old Man Gloom, and countless other notable projects.

"Dark Driving" and "Big Riff" videos below...

Continue reading "Cave In out of hiatus, playing an EP-release show "

words and photos by Black Bubblegum

With stokeage levels on high, we are pleased to announce that spazzy post-hardcore badasses Frodus will make their triumphant return to NYC on May 10th at Death By Audio, flanked by Limbs, Himalaya, and a special guest!

The NYC show will be one of a trio that the band has announced for the east coast. They will also hit The Sonar in Baltimore with Sick Weapons, Solar Powered Sun Destroyer, and Caverns on May 8th, and The Barbary on May 9th in Philadelphia! All dates will include Liam of The Dillinger Escape Plan handling bass duties.

Frodus, back together after breaking up in 1999, played a pair of reunion shows in Austin during SXSW in March. I managed to catch both the Slip/Lovitt Party (Jacob's awesome pics are here) with The Van Pelt and the show at Red 7 with Young Widows. More pics from both shows are below...

Continue reading "Frodus playing 3 east coast shows - NYC included!"

by Black Bubblegum

Tesco Vee In Boston (pic by Mark Natola)

The Meatmen are hitting the road tomorrow (4/16) for a Northeast tour including April 19th at Europa in Brooklyn with Chapstik, Loafass, and The Blackout Shoppers. Tickets are on sale. A little more than two weeks after The Meatmen wrap things up in Columbus, Ohio, the band will head out to the west coast for a second leg. All tour dates are below.

The Meatmen recently dropped a collection of covers and their first album in thirteen years, Cover The Earth. Featuring 24 covers of songs from "40 years of our favorite tunes", Tesco Vee & the boys recorded songs by Motorhead, GG Allin, Thin Lizzy, The Fugs, Roky Erickson, Fear and many others. Pick that record up at the show or here.

Speaking of Fear, the LA band has scheduled a pair of NYC dates at Europa on May 6th (tickets) and May 7th (tickets). Credit Mongrel with the assist on both nights, while Tall Black Girls & Violent Bullshit will open May 6th and Cerebral Ballzy & Runny will rock the 7th. Besides the NYC double header, Fear are also playing May 8th at Club Hell in Providence and May 9th at The Trocadero in Philadelphia. Lee Ving also recently opened a twitter account here.

As previously mentioned, The Fugs, who are also covered on Cover The Earth, will play The Bell House in Brooklyn on April 29th with Acrylics, White Williams, Golden Triangle and many others. The show is "a benefit concert... to raise money for Rory O'Sullivan, ...a 24 year old aspiring filmmaker suffering from a massive brain tumor". Regular tickets are on sale, and you can buy VIP tickets which include all types of freebies and will benefit a bonfide 501 (c)(3)... Those of you who just finished your taxes may know what that is. For more information, to buy VIP tickets, or just to donate, head here.

The Fugs current lineup is Tuli Kupferberg, Ed Sanders, Ken Weaver and Steven Taylor. All Fear and Meatmen dates below...

Continue reading "The Meatmen touring (w/ new covers album), Fear playing shows, The Fugs playing a benefit - dates & stuff"

The Mummies @ The 9:30 Club, Washington D.C., 12/30/1991

"Remember that show in Spain last year? That one and only show we were gonna do? Yeah, well we lied. And if you don't like it, put yer ear buds back in and go listen to yer Bob Fuckin' Dylan again.

Back by popular demand, the Kings of Budget Rock™ will be pulling dubbble-trubble on June 9th 2009, at the scene of the last U.S. Mummies show (back in '91). That's right, count 'em: TWO sets. Those slave drivers at Maxwell's really know how to extract that pound of flesh. And all on account of a silly little misunderstanding about a bar tab. Fer Chrisssakes! That was 18 years ago, guys! Cut us a little slack!! [The Mummies]

Continue reading "The Mummies are back - 2 NJ shows & 1 in Brooklyn (on sale)"

by Black Bubblegum

Jonah Matranga & Ian Love at Gershwin Hotel (more by Tim Griffin)

Jonah Matranga of Far/onelinedrawing/New End Original fame has scheduled a solo show at Mercury Lounge on May 21st. Tickets are on sale.

Jonah might be playing that and a few more shows (listed below) solo, but - even more than before - Far is back...

Vagrant Records is proud to announce that Far has signed to the label. The recently reunited quartet is currently wrapping up their fifth full-length release in The Airport studio in Southern California with producer and guitarist Shaun Lopez at the helm and an early spring release date is expected.

"We had no idea all this would happen," says vocalist Jonah Matranga. "We were just planning on getting to know each other again and playing a few shows... all of a sudden, the songs are coming, and it feels really good."

In the tail end of last year (while he was here for that Gershwin Hotel show), we caught up with Jonah Matranga and asked him about Far, his solo venture(s), and what it means to be back in lock-step with the guys again. Check out that interview below.

Meanwhile, some of Jonah's bandmates in New End Original are getting their old band back together as well. Split Lip, which became Chamberlain in 1995, will reunite with all original members to play a handful of shows in their native midwest, and eventually, the east coast. Tour dates are below.

The dates coincide with the re-issue of Chamberlain's emo-influential Fate's Got A Driver LP on color vinyl with bonus tracks.

Chamberlain's Fate's Got a Driver delivers more emotion in its 30 minutes than most bands do over the course of a career. The record is thought provoking and musically adventurous, a rare feat for a band whose members were barely past twenty when it was recorded. With nods to the Everyman side of Sunny Day Real Estate and the insistent melodicism of Fugazi, Fate's Got a Driver consistently impresses. It's all the product of lead guitarist Adam Rubenstein's thick, Fugazi-style progressions and David Moore's highly poetic lyrics... An amazing achievement by such a relatively young band. -[allmusic]

Continue reading "an interview w/ Jonah Matranga of Far (who are back with more tour dates & a new album on Vagrant Records)"

words & photos by Black Bubblegum

The Van Pelt played their first show in 10+ years at the Radio Room in Austin on March 21st as part of the Slip/Lovitt Day Party which also included sets by Young Widows (who are playing Brooklyn on April 1st), Pygmy Lush, Cursive (who played a BV party at the same venue two days earlier), and Frodus.

The Van Pelt occupied the slot before Frodus (which was before Cursive) on the main stage, and I was glad that I was able to catch all of their set before the rambunctiousness of Frodus. Talent obviously oozes out of the Leo clan (guitarist/vocalist Chris Leo is Ted's younger bro), as I found The Van Pelt's live show to be heartfelt, melodic, and just plain gorgeous. Here's to hoping that NYC gets a shot to see them again. For those unfamiliar with the band, there's a little history below the rest of the pictures, below...

Continue reading "The Van Pelt reunited @ the Radio Room (SXSW) - pics "

words & photos by Black Bubblegum

Absu @ Spiro's, March 20th at WFMU/Acquarius Records SXSW Showcase

Much like Cynic, Carcass, and At The Gates before them, fallen metal heroes Atheist are BACK. A few weeks ago, the Atheist camp let loose that they were booking shows for summer 2009 and "into 2010". One of those shows, Maryland Deathfest on May 22 - 24 at Sonar in Baltimore, MD, was revealed six months ago, but we now have word that Atheist will play BB Kings with The Faceless, Psyopus, The Agonist, and Gnostic on July 12th! Ticket info is forthcoming. Full Atheist tour dates are below.

Atheist are a technical death metal band from Florida, founded in 1984, whose music combined brutal riffs with subtle latin music arrangements and elements of jazz. Their second album, Unquestionable Presence, released in 1991, has been regarded by some critics as one of the most influential technical death metal albums of all time. -[Wiki]

Absu, Wildildlife, and Slough Feg as well as Obits and many many esteemed others played Spiro's on March 20th as part of the WFMU/Aquarius Records showcase. Although there were some sound issues, Absu were phenomenal and it seemed like they could have (and wanted to) kept on playing well past their slot time. Slough Feg was equally as impressive; those riffs were somehow even more soaring live than on record. Although Wildildlife in the live setting lose some of the quirky experimentalism that makes their records so unique, they were great in a wholly different sort of way.

Absu's new self-titled album, their first in eight years (!), is out NOW on Candlelight. Wildildlife recently reissued the Peas Feast 12" on Crucial Blast. Slough Feg's new album, Ape Uprising is due on June 2nd via Cruz Del Sur.

More Absu, Wildildlife and Slough Feg pics, and all tour dates, are below...

Continue reading "a NYC Atheist show; Absu, Wildildlife, Slough Feg SXSW pics"

by Andrew Frisicano

The duo of Jean Smith and Dave Lester have revived Mecca Normal, their vocals-and-guitar indie-punk act that, since starting in 1984, has released discs on K Records, Matador, Sub Pop, and Kill Rock Stars - who put out the band's most recent release, 2006's The Observer (featuring the single "Attraction is Ephemeral," video below).

The pair head out on their 25th Anniversary, "How Art & Music Can Change the World" tour - a traveling musical performance/lecture series that'll visit NYC in both forms, first at Cake Shop on Monday, April 20th, then to present their world changing thesis (see video below for a preview) at Bluestockings Books on Tuesday, April 21st.
Jean Smith says...

I wasn't expecting to be impacted by the economic downturn when I was laid off from my retail job at an eco-friendly clothing store. The company decided to close the much-loved, quaint, creaky-old-floorboard store to concentrate on their wholesale and online business. As an almost fifty-year-old (single, debt-free) musician, novelist and painter, I am perhaps better equipped to deal with variations on the theme of employment and income, better than people who felt they had security. Rather than look for a new part time job, I'm hitting the road with Mecca Normal to present "How Art & Music Can Change the World" -- an art exhibit, lecture and performance event in university and high school classrooms, bookstores, art galleries and music venues.

All tour dates and above-mentioned videos below...

Continue reading "Mecca Normal - 25th Anniversary tour dates & lectures"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Frodus - "Bull of Juarez" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Frodus - "Invisible Time Lines" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: The Van Pelt - "The Speeding Train" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Edie Sedgwick - "Edie Sedgwick II" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Des Ark - "Jesus Loves You (But Yr Still Coming_Home With Me Tonight)" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: The Poison Arrows - "Casual Wave" (MP3)

2009 has seen the world economy crumble due to the unethical practices of businessmen and corporate oligarchy. The current administration with the assistance of Ben Bernanke, Chairman of the United States Federal Reserve, has reached out to the Frodus Conglomerate International for aid. Calls were made, doors were closed and numbers adjusted. After weeks of vicious negotiation both parties agreed on a proper course of action.

The Frodus Conglomerate International will address the public for the first time in 10 years on Saturday March 21st, 2009 at 4:35 pm in Austin, Texas. Austin will be the first of several public forums to address current global conditions forewarned by the FCI in years past. The Conglomerate has employed Liam Wilson of the Dillinger Escape Plan to supply bass guitar for this address while Nathan Burke organizes his North-West Contingency. We are the economic police.

Frodus recently reissued their 1998 album Conglomerate International on 2LP mastered at 45RPM. Limited to 600. Um, get on that.

Shelby Cinca of Frodus was recently interviewed on Dissonance Radio. Download that podcast here.

Videos and SXSW party details below...

Continue reading "Frodus is back, playing the Slip + Lovitt = love party @ SXSW"

Faith No More has always stood out as some sort of unique beast; part dog, part cat--its music almost as schizophrenic as the personalities of its members. When it all worked, it worked really well, even if the chemistry was always volatile. Throughout our 17 years of existence, the mental and physical energy required to sustain this creature was considerable and relentless. Though amicable enough, when we finally split, we all followed paths seemingly destined to opposite ends of the universe.

Yet during the entire 10 years that have passed since our decision to break up we've experienced constant rumors and requests from fans and promoters alike. Nevertheless, for whatever reason, none of us kept in regular touch, much less to discuss any possibilities of getting together.

What's changed is that this year, for the first time, we've all decided to sit down together and talk about it. And what we've discovered is that time has afforded us enough distance to look back on our years together through a clearer lens and made us realize that through all the hard work, the music still sounds good, and we are beginning to appreciate the fact that we might have actually done something right.

Meanwhile we find ourselves at a moment in time with zero label obligations, still young and strong enough to deliver a kickass set, with enthusiasm to not only revisit our past but possibly add something to the present. And so with this we've decided to hold our collective breaths and jump off this cliff....
BACK, GOD FORBID, INTO THE MONKEY CAGE!!!

We can only hope that the experience of playing together again will yield results erratic and unpredictable enough to live up to the legacy of FNM.
Who know where this will end or what it will bring up...only the future knows. But we are about to find out!

FAITH NO MORE are:
Mike Bordin, Roddy Bottum, Bill Gould, Jon Hudson and Mike Patton

Continue reading "Faith No More issue official reunion statement (it's still on)"

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 24 -- Mike Patton (Fantômas, Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, Peeping Tom and the forthcoming Mondo Cane amongst others) has just completed his first major motion film score for the film "Crank 2: High Voltage" (Apr. 17 release).

While Patton has often dabbled in film whether it was lending his voice to the creatures in "I Am Legend", his score for the indie film noir short "A Perfect Place" or Fantômas' film scoring interpretation via The Director's Cut, this marks his first proper film score.

Created during the latter half of 2008, Patton holed up in a Los Angeles studio and eliminated all other projects during the recording, a point worth noting as he is well known for being one of modern music's most prolific artists.

Patton has also provided vocals to several videogames including "Bionic Commando," "Portal," "Left 4 Dead," and "The Darkness." He also lent his voice to Adult Swim's Metalocalypse (character name: Rikki Kix). Patton just wrapped up a trek across Australia with Fantômas as part of the Big Day Out festival. His upcoming schedule includes a performance with labelmates Zu (Mar. 19 @ Great American Music Hall in San Francisco), the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on Apr. 17 with Rahzel (ex-Roots beatboxer) and the highly anticipated reunion tour with Faith No More in Europe this summer.

--

In related news, the pre-Patton frontman of Faith No More, Chuck Mosley, "is currently recording a new album at Ante Up Audio recording studios in Cleveland, Ohio. Multi-platinum producer/engineer Michael Seifert (Tori Amos, Regina Spektor, Dave Matthews, Bone Thugs 'n Harmony) is currently working on the new release with Chuck. The album is sure to please fans new and old, with a mix of hard rock and acoustic numbers." (thx Klaus)

Continue reading "Mike Patton scores film... Faith No More reunion confirmed?"

words by Black Bubblegum, photos by Justina Villanueva

Cynic

"Cynic was formed in 1987 by guitarist (and now singer) Paul Masvidal and drummer Sean Reinert who met in elementary school. Soon after they recruited bassist Mark Van Erp and singer Jack Kelly. In 1988, the band made their first recording, simply called the '88 Demo. After the demo, Paul Masvidal took over vocal duties, while continuing to play guitar. The band also added a second guitarist, Jason Gobel. Another demo followed in 1989, this one titled Reflections of a Dying World. 1989 also brought the addition of bassist Tony Choy. In 1990, the group went to the studio to record their third demo, plainly titled '90 Demo. In 1991, Cynic signed with Roadrunner Records and recorded their fourth and final demo, known as Demo 1991." [Wiki]

Reports from our camp were mixed... photographer Justina Villanueva raved about all three bands, while contributor Klaus Kinski chimed that "Cynic was the low point of the evening", adding that while Cynic were technically impressive, they lacked stage prescence... a sentiment he did not echo for Meshuggah. Unfortunately, I did not make it to the show (blasphemer!), but that's OK... word is, alot more touring is in Cynic's future.

Meshuggah did not allow photography during their set, but Cynic and The Faceless did. More of them below...

Continue reading "Cynic, Meshuggah & the Faceless @ Irving Plaza, NYC - pics"

by Black Bubblegum

P-Orridge, Carter, Tutti, and Christopherson circa 1978

Throbbing Gristle, the confrontational pioneers of industrial music, have scheduled their FIRST EVER NYC area show (!) at the Brooklyn Masonic Temple on April 16th, just three days before the band ships out to the desert to play Coachella along with Morrissey & Paul McCartney. Hmmm... Paul McCartney and Throbbing Gristle playing the same show. Interesting.

Tickets for the NYC show go on sale TODAY (2/2) at 3PM.

For those of you that may need it, here's a little Throbbing Gristle learn for ya:

Abrasive, aggressive, and antagonistic, Britain's Throbbing Gristle pioneered industrial music; exploring death, mutilation, fascism, and degradation amid a thunderous cacophony of mechanical noise, tape loops, extremist anti-melodies, and bludgeoning beats, the group's cultural terrorism -- the "wreckers of civilization," one tabloid called them -- raised the stakes of artistic confrontation to new heights, combating all notions of commerciality and good taste with a maniacal fervor.

Formed in London in the autumn of 1975, Throbbing Gristle consisted of vocalist/ringleader Genesis P-Orridge, his then-lover, guitarist Cosey Fanni Tutti, tape manipulator Peter "Sleazy" Christopherson, and keyboardist Chris Carter....

Upon forming their own label, Industrial, the group issued their introductory release, The Best of Throbbing Gristle, Vol. 2, in 1976. A full-length debut, The Second Annual Report of Throbbing Gristle, followed in 1977, in a pressing of only 500 copies; bowing to fan demand, the record was later reissued -- cut from a master tape played backward...

20 Jazz Funk Greats, a harsh electro-pop outing, followed a year later, and after 1980's live-in-the-studio Heathen Earth, Throbbing Gristle called it quits. P-Orridge and Christopherson soon formed Psychic TV (though Christopherson split again to form Coil), while the remaining duo continued on as Chris & Cosey... Throbbing Gristle reunited during the early 2000s for performances, and released Part Two: Endless Not, their first album in 25 years, in 2007. -[allmusic]

TG have also collaborated with sculptor Cerith Wyn Evans on A=p=p=a=r=i=t=i=o=n, "large sculpture incorporating 16 suspended and highly polished circular Audio Spotlight panels". This art exhibition, which recently closed in Yokohama but is searching for a new home in 2009, had the band providing a "special multi-channel soundtrack that plays back through the sculpture". More details can be found here.

Peter Christophersen recently played the Brainwaves Festival in Boston with Silver Apples, Matmos, Stars Of The Lid, Marissa Nadler, and many others. Drew Daniel (of Matmos) wrote a book for the 33 1/3 series profiling Throbbing Gristle's 20 Jazz Funk Greats.

Psychic TV played their most recent NYC show at Europa in November. Genesis also performed two shows with Tony Conrad at Issue Project Room in January.

Throbbing Gristle videos below...

Continue reading "Throbbing Gristle playing NYC & Coachella, issue limited LP"

DOWNLOAD: Pavement - Rattled By The Rush (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Pavement - Heckler Spray/In The Mouth Of A Desert (live @ the Palace) (MP3)

"Scott Kannberg, aka Spiral Stairs, says that Pavement will reform in an interview for the new issue of Loud And Quiet, out this weekend (Jan 10th).

There's been talk of Pavement reforming for quite some time but, in a Loud And Quiet exclusive interview with Scott Kannberg the guitarist told us, "I don't see why not, you know, it could be a fun thing to do, go and play your favourite songs every night!"

Confirming that "everything's fine now" amongst him and his ex-band members, Kannberg went on to say, "2009 would be our twenty-year anniversary too, so that'd be a good time to do it, but I think that's too soon, it might have to be pushed back later."

That news might come as a disappointment to those that have believed rumours of Pavement playing Coachella Festival this year but on that subject Kannberg mentioned that the band have not totally ruled out the Californian festival, providing their booking agent hears the right price. "Coachella keep asking our booking agent," said the guitarist "but our booking agent's pretty strong, you know, he's waiting for the right number I think."

In the feature that celebrates the US indie troupe, Kannberg also spoke about life in the band and how they might even release some unheard, rare material once their final album, 'Terror Twilight', receives the re-mastering treatment that all other Pavement albums have been given over the last few months."
[Loud and Quiet]

by Bill Pearis

Currently celebrating their 25th anniversary, Camper Van Beethoven are playing Friday (1/9) (tickets) and Saturday (1/10) (tickets) at Bowery Ballroom in NYC - the band's first shows here since 2006 (thx anon). They also played some shows in 2004 when they released New Roman Times, their first album of original material in 15 years.

Camper Van Beethoven were one of the few bands of the '80s loved by both punks and hippies, taking the f-you attitude of the former and the laid-back vibe of the latter, mixing it with various forms of ethic music plus their own Santa Cruz style and humor. Whether punks and hippies ever acknowledged each other's presence at shows back then is a different story. (It took me till the late-90s to admit that "Good Guys and Bad Guys" sounds a lot like The Dead.) While best-known now for their their early single "Take the Skinheads Bowling," CVB were also capable of thoughtful, insightful, and moving songs as well. Time has been kind to them, actually, and records like their 1985 debut, Telephone Free Landslide Victory, 1986's eponymous third album, and the finale of CVB's initial run, 1989's Key Lime Pie have held up more than a lot of other records from the same era. And New Roman Times was a fine addition to their discography, almost like they never went away.

If you're a big CVB fan, you might want to consider hitting both shows. The band's 2-night stint in Chicago back in November saw sets of around 25 songs, with only 9-10 of them being duplicated both nights. I last saw them was at a 2-hour plus, sweltering show (literally) at Knitting Factory in July 2002. It's almost all of the original lineup and, if anything, the band have gotten better as musicians since.

Opening at the Friday show at Bowery (1/09) is McCabe & Mrs Miller, which is CVB bassist Victor Krummenacher's project with Alison Faith Levy (formerly of The Loud Family) and also features Camper members Jonathan Segel and Greg Lisher.

Additionally, Krummenacher and Segel are both doing solo sets at Pianos on Sunday (1/11) - a bill that also includes local fave Sharon Von Etten. I wouldn't be surprised if other members of Camper make appearances. Segel also plays in Noodle Shop at Le Poisson Rougue on Wednesday (1/14).

But wait there's more. Monks of Doom, which is basically Camper Van Beethoven minus frontman David Lowery plus David Immergluck (who has played in Counting Crows but spent the '80s in the bizarre theatrical band The Ophelias), are playing Europa in Greenpoint on March 12 and 13. Tickets are on sale. Lowery, meanwhile, continues to play in Cracker too. These guys stay busy.

A few classic CVB videos, and all dates, after the jump...

Continue reading "Camper Van Beethoven shows & a Monks of Doom reunion "

Yoni and Doseone @ Knitting Factory - Dec 18, 2008 (just_remember_to_roll)

"On Wednesday December 17th, Doseone, Jel and the other founders of Anticon played an intimate show in the Tap Room of the Knitting Factory. Doseone [told] the history of how the label came to be. I can't believe I missed it... I saw the 10th Anniversary show the next night. My show ended with a cLOUDDEAD reunion. The kids got a little crazy, I almost punched a few people. Seriously." [Jeff Devine]

Continue reading "cLOUDDEAD reunited, Doseone told the history of Anticon @ Knitting Factory - pics & video "

Ian Brown is the only obstacle to a Stone Roses reunion, the band's former bassist Mani said this week. And if the Manchester band are ever to get back together, it will be up to fans to twist Brown's arm.

"Me, John and Reni are up for doing it and Ian just needs some working on," Gary "Mani" Mounfield told the Channelbee website. Counting Mani, guitarist John Squire and drummer Alan "Reni" Wren, that's three-quarters of the band accounted for. But frontman Ian Brown is stone-hearted, and has hardly spoken to the others since their acrimonious split in 1996.

"Next year is the 20th anniversary of the first album," Mani continued. "It's the ideal time to do it. It's something I would love to do before we are all fat and bald. Start the campaign." [Guardian]

Also there's Oasis, who play Madison Square Garden in NYC TONIGHT (Dec 17).

Neil Young played the same venue last night, and the night before.

most of these guys are getting back together

The Specials will finish their reunion tour next May with a special gig in their hometown of Coventry. The band have now been confirmed to play the city's Ricoh Arena on May 15. As NME.COM previously reported, The Specials are reuniting to celebrate their 30th anniversary. [NME]

Continue reading "The Specials - 30th Anniversary reunion Tour Dates"

The members of the legendary and influential alternative rock band The Fluid have announced they will be performing select shows starting this January in Brooklyn & Hoboken, after reuniting to perform at Sub-Pop Records 20th Anniversary Festival in Seattle this past July...

...Due to timing and the band's associations with Sub-Pop and various acts of the Northwest underground scene-the group were early boosters of Nirvana, and the two acts even shared a split single in 1991-The Fluid has long been lumped in with the period's so-called grunge movement. But in actuality the outfit's unapologetically rock 'n' roll sound bypassed the shallower sludge metal and hardcore punk influences of its contemporary brethren, reaching deeper to hint at the classic styles of forbears like the New York Dolls, The Stooges, the MC5, the Rolling Stones, and the garage bands of the 1960s...

...The Fluid's upcoming shows at Hoboken's Maxwell's on January 16th [tickets], and Brooklyn's Music Hall of Williamsburg on January 17th [tickets] will bring together all five of the band's original members for one of the most rabidly anticipated musical reunions in years-and one that will give metro area fans the rare chance to once again experience firsthand the band's singular brand of timeless and powerful rock 'n' roll.

Continue reading "The Fluid - reunited & playing 2 NYC-area shows "

by Black Bubblegum

The Murder City Devils in Portland, OR on October 30, 2001

The Murder City Devils have scheduled a short tour of the West Coast in celebration of the deluxe vinyl releases of their Sub Pop catalog: In Name and Blood, Empty Bottles, Broken Hearts, The Murder City Devils, and Thelema EP. Full tour dates and flyer are below. Members of The Murder City Devils members went on to form Pretty Girls Make Graves and Big Business. This will be MCD's third stint as a reunited band: they reformed in 2006 for the Capitol Hill Block Party in Seattle and in 2007 for Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin. All dates below...

Continue reading "Murder City Devils reissue vinyl, announce West Coast tour"