Ian MacKaye, frontman for Minor Threat and Fugazi, has been getting a lot of phone calls today. He answers immediately, exclaiming, “I am still alive!” He goes on to say, “I am happy to report that I am not dead.” ([More →])

I just noticed in the local paper that Girl Talk and Dan Deacon will be performing totally FREE in Berkeley, CA on Monday October 1st. So, I checked out the website listed and it says the show is 5-7pm at Lower Sproul Plaza at UC Berkeley and it appears to be all-ages and wheelchair accessible. ([More →])

([More →])

A one of a kind Johnny Cash dubplate has been revealed and the audio is available to the public for the first time today. Near the end of his time abroad with the US Air Force in Germany in 1954, a 22 year old Johnny Cash recorded a 78 rpm record for his first wife, Vivian. One side was etched with the grooves of “Darlin’ Am I The One?” while the other side was etched with a “tender spoken-word declaration of his love” for his faraway lover. In a strange coincidence, the song was originall performed by Carl Smith who was married, at the time, to June Carter. Apparently, Smith was not the One for June. ([More →])

Michael Franti and Spearhead continue to tour in support of last year’s release, Yell Fire! The ever-busy Franti is also about to publish the first book from his own publishing company. The book is a “visual and musical journey about self acceptance” for children titled, “What I Be” and the new publishing company is called Stay Human Books. ([More →])

More info on the new Kylie Minogue album: It’s been titled X and we have the tracklist as well as the album cover for the single release of “2 Hearts” ([More →])

The brand new Celebration video is here! The Dave Sitek-produced “Evergreen” set in motion by director Matt Goldman… ([More →])

I‘ve actually never heard of Lightspeed Champion before, have you? The UK mags are all abuzz about him this month and he sure looks interesting. They say he plays folky-pop songs. All I know is he might be the next big thing in your heart and that’s all that matters to me. So check this guy out: ([More →])

Prepare for another attack of the M&M’s! Modest Mouse and Man Man must really enjoy each other’s company, because they’ve hooked up for another joint tour with Love as Laughter to open. ([More →])

I have enough trouble getting the theme song for Weeds out of my head, I really can’t imagine practicing it and performing it. I’m glad I don’t have to. The song is annoyingly catchy, but it’s extra popular due to the show featuring different versions by different bands. “Little Boxes” has been covered by Angelique Kidjo, Billy Bob Thorton, and Randy Newman. And now The Shins and Man Man. ([More →])

San Francisco’s own Deerhoof have seemed a bit quiet since their January release of Friend Opportunity. Maybe it’s because they have been toiling in the studio - with sexy results! Recently the band composed and recorded 9 original songs for “Dedication,” an independent film by Justin Theroux. The soundtrack was released on9/11 but it probably didn’t get much attention with all the brawling and bawling going on about other 9/11 albums. The soundtrack also has tracks by Cat Power, the Strokes, Fischerspooner, Lightning Bolt and more. Deerhoof also just uploaded an album’s worth of FREE mp3s for you to download and enjoy, some live recordings and other goodies that haven’t been released previously! PLUS, the band is currently on a North American tour for another few weeks at which point they head for London (to perform alongside Liars and Black Lips) with a stop in Iceland! ([More →])

So many bands and music fans are concerned about the future of the Manium - an all ages venue in downtown Olympia that the city is trying to shut down. If you have ever been involved with an all-ages venue in any city in the US, you know the kind of problems they face. Instead of being appreciated for getting kids off the streets and away from the television, they are viewed as sources of illegal activities and the corruption of society. Maybe there are a few rare cases where this happens, but usually the venue is a boon to society, especially a culture that neglects its youth more and more and fails to provide healthy gathering spaces. ([More →])

When I saw this new Battles video for their song “Tonto” I thought it seemed really familiar. It took me a minute to think about, but then I realized that those lights are just like the UVA installation that I reported on earlier this month in relation to the multimedia extravaganza in London (with Chem Bros). ([More →])

OOooh! Kylie Minogue is going to be Doctor Who’s traveling companion in the special Christmas edition of Doctor Who this winter! There’s news of her “killer comeback” album too! ([More →])

Experimental electronic noise scientists - Nate Young, John Olson and Mike Connelly, aka Wolf Eyes - added new tunes to their music $pace page plus new tour dates through Europe. Before they leave the US though, they will play four shows in northeast US: Buffalo, Brooklyn, New Haven and Cleveland. So, check out the new music, and look out for your chance to catch them live. Wolf Eyes’ live shows are fascinating crosses between metal, punk, noise, and guitar destruction. They have so much fun on freaking out on stage and they are so much fun to rock out to.
([More →])