Brian Chase, the drummer we all know and love, has just released a new CD for one of his jazz projects. He and Seth Misterka recorded an album with only sax and percussion that is reminiscent of works by John Coltrane or Sun Ra. Misterka is a Brooklyn-based multi-instrumentalist and composer who specializes in free-jazz saxophone. If you’ve read my review of the recent Yeah Yeah Yeahs concert, you know my feelings about Brian Chase becoming our generation’s Max Roach, so this new free-jazz album must be fabulous! I think the music was actually recorded in 2005, but just now released as their debut album, titled Brian Chase & Seth Misterka Duo. ([More →])

San Francisco adores the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. No other town loves this band more except maybe New York City. Witnessing a Yeah Yeah Yeahs concert in SF is almost a religious experience. I can feel how much the music means to each person in the crowd: music that reached them in their darkest hour; lyrics that spoke to them directly; or simply a celebration of life and the sparkle that Karen O brings to the room. Whatever the reason, everyone in the room is affected by the music. Tuesday night, August 21, 2007 at the Fillmore in San Francisco was no exception. The floor bowed deeply under the rhythmic jumping of the devoted congregation, and a sea of arms reached out to catch the melodies mid-air. The YYYs have earned this response from the audience with their relentless delivery of stellar shows. Their music and their stage presence isn’t contained on the stage, it imbibes everyone in the room until it feels like we’re actually dancing on stage with the band. If there is one thing the Yeah Yeah Yeahs do well, it’s connecting with each and everyone of their fans in a personal way. ([More →])

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, being the sweethearts that they can’t help but be, have rounded up some exclusive video footage of their performances at Lollapalooza and the V Fest plus an interview to share with their ever-adoring fans. ([More →])

Straight from the mouths of hot babes:

We’ve got the garbage oh yeah we do, dumped into five songs to encourage bad listening habits. YYYs would love to heat up and bother you at a loud volume, so please help us help you and seek out our new tunes? Some of you may know a few of these songs, we’ve been terrorizing with them at our shows for years, Rockers to Swallow, Down Boy, 10X10, WE GUARANTEE YOU HAVE NEVER HEARD THEM LIKE THIS BEFORE, nor have you heard them ALL. We deliver them to you with a snarl this July accompanied with new videos all shot in the dark at a very intimate show we threw last month. We cannot tell you how EXCITED the three of us are to drop this music in your laps, our mouths water at thought of you listening to RTS (ep’s first track) in your car stereos. Summer nights are made for this shit. This shit IS IS made for summer nights.

xx,
YYY

yeah yeah YEAH!
I am actually WAY more excited about this than if it were new material, because, sadly, oh I hate to even say it - I didn’t like “Sealings.” The song that they contributed to the Spiderman 3 soundtrack. I find it too glossy, way too commercial. I fear where this trio is going musically. (And I hope to blame it on something done post-production so they can fire that guy and get back to sounding real) But old material? HELL YEAH!

More Info About Is Is:

From Yeah Yeah Yeahs mice bass-

THE EP
Songs for the EP were written in 2004 in between touring behind their first record Fever to Tell.
Written amidst one of the most turbulent and emotionally unstable periods in YYYs history, for whatever reason the angst that colored that point in time translates erotically into a sexually charged body of songs. On their choice of producer, Karen O intones; “Nick Launay was the natural choice having produced PIL Flowers of Romance, collectively a favorite between us. I put that record on and want to stuff my mouth with raw hamburger meat.”. Is Is is an expression of similar sordid energy, the rawness is unavoidable and good for you too!

THE FILM
YYYs have captured all this excitement in the EP recordings. In fact, they love playing them so much they’ve made a special live film to accompany the EP with co-directors KK Barrett (Sofia Coppola films) and Lance Bangs (video director - Sonic Youth, Nirvana and producer of Director’s Cut series of DVDs – Michel Gondry, Spike Jonze, Chris Cunningham). Recorded in night-vision at Glasslands Gallery in Brooklyn on 7th May, the band played 2 sets that night to just 100 lucky fans each time – the first for a mixed audience and the second for females only. There will be 2 filmed versions of lead track Down Boy – one live, and one to EP audio.

Is Is TRACKLIST:

1.Rockers to Swallow
2.Down Boy
3.Kiss Kiss
4.Isis
5.10×10

Some of these songs were previously available on the “Tell Me What Rockers To Swallow” live DVD. “Down Boy” is a demo version that appeared on a limited edition split 7” single with Liars in Japan and Australia.

The EP will be available on CD, double gatefold 7” vinyl, digital download, and a special USB stick. All formats will include all 5 tracks - “making this a special, non chart-eligible, release.”

U.S. DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs have signed on to play the Download Festival on Saturday, August 18th.

DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL 2007
Tweeter Center for Performing Arts
885 South Main Street, Mansfield, MA 02048

More YYYs Tour Dates

Aug 4 LOLLAPALOOZA Chicago, Illinois
Aug 5 VIRGIN Festival Baltimore, Maryland
Aug 18 Download Festival 2007 Mansfield, Massachusetts

Yeah Yeah Yeahs Links

Yeah Yeah Yeahs site
Yeah Yeah Yeahs mice bass
Is Is CD on Amazon.com only $6.49!
Tell Me What Rockers To Swallow DVD on Amazon.com