Quick News

This weekend's Glastonbury Festival in England was filled with excitement and controversy. In the first time in the festival's 30 year history, it did not sell out. Much was to blame for headliner Jay-Z and Noel Gallagher of Oasis comments about HOV headlining. With the sides feuding, Jay-Z apparently had a stellar set Saturday night even covering "Wonderwall" to spite Gallagher whoes band is currently wrapping up their latest record.
The bigger news of the weekend comes from controversal singer, Amy Winehouse who apparently threw a few punches at a fan in the front row of the Pyramid Stage during her performance of "Rehab." The BBC has all highlights of the weekend as well as some video's from The Racountours and The Verve, who also stirred the pot by calling out festival boss Michael Eavis. Check it out at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7480596.stm
For videos from this past weekend's festivities, featuring almost every performance head on over to http://www.bbc.co.uk/glastonbury/2008/lineup/ and enjoy!

In related Verve news, for this week only! You can download a FREE B-side to their forthcoming album, Forth. The song is "Mover," and the record is due in August. The track can be downloaded via the band's website http://www.theverve.tv/

Incubus guitarist Michael Einziger has crafted his first orchestral composition called End.>vacuum. The first and only performance (so far) of the composition will take place August 23 at UCLA. It consists of nine musical movements (approximately 40 minutes total) and will be performed by a chamber orchestra led by renowned Los Angeles conductor and Einziger’s longtime collaborator Suzie Katayama.

Quantum of Solace Trailer

Check out the trailer for the upcoming James Bond flick Quantum of Solace. This two minute trailer will not only blow your mind BUT is also better than all two hours of Die Another Day and The World Is Not Enough. The movie comes out November.

Live Review-Pearl Jam@MSG

Someone once told me that Pearl Jam will be this generations Grateful Dead. I didn't once seem to believe it, nor understand why, then last night happened...Closing out two sold out shows at Madison Square Garden, the sons of grunge took on a blistering 3 hour set in front of New York City and proved their worth. I have been a fan of this band since the beginning but unfortunately never had a chance to see them live. This past concert was an experience to see not just the band perform, but see the audience's reaction to them playing. The audience was an army of fans chanting and belting out the words to every song so much so that they overpowered the band's sound and you could see the smile on every member of Pearl Jam's faces as the crowd gave them the biggest compliment they could ever receive. The band's blistering long set featured live favorites like "Corduroy," "Given to Fly," and a 13 minute version of "Even Flow," that had guitarist Mike McCready and drummer Matt Cameron breaking down into jam solo's. Throughout the performance front man Eddie Vedder paid tribute to late comedian George Carlin, and also drummed up his outlook against everything from the Bush administration to Coldplay's free concert Monday night (even with Chris Martin in the audience), by stating "we spoke to the good people of this venue and we got the curfew extended, so we are going to play for a long time tonight, this is not no one hour free show." The crowd cheered in admiration of Vedder discussing the band's lengthy set, but also some felt awkward to respond to his reference to Coldplay's set two nights before. While trashing some, Vedder also took time out to compliment the good people of New York as well as the chase to change history and the White House with Barack Obama running for President. As political and opinionated as he may be, Vedder also has a soft side and that is certainly reflected in his music and love for what he does.
The real highlight of the night came when Vedder introduced former Ramones bassist CJ Ramone to the stage to perform "I Believe In Miracles," being a huge Ramones fan myself, seeing one of the only surviving members in concert was a real gift. That however was not the only surprise, as during the second encore Kiss guitarist Ace Freely came out to perform "Black Diamond," with Matt Cameron singing vocals.
True road dogs of musicians that give it all night after night and do it all for the love of their fans and what they stand for. Pearl Jam will certainly go down as one of the great live acts of our time.

Pearl Jam Set List 6/25/08 Madison Square Garden

Set 1 Release, World Wide Suicide, Severed Hand, Corduroy, All Night, Cropduster, Garden, Marker In The Sand, I'm Open, Wishlist, State Of Love And Trust, Even Flow, Who You Are, Rats, Given To Fly, Do The Evolution, Go

Encore 1 Inside Job, W.M.A., Lukin, I Believe In Miracles (with CJ Ramone), Better Man(Save it for Later), Rearviewmirror

Encore 2 No More, Last Kiss, Why Go, Black Diamond (with Ace Freely), Alive, Yellow Ledbetter

Coldplay on Daily Show

Coldplay dropped by the Daily Show Wednesday night to perform "42," and "Lost!" This marks the third appearance of a musical act in the history of the political satire.

Live Review-Coldplay@MSG

For 70 minutes (no encore) one of the biggest bands in the world played one of the biggest venues for an intense and epic show. Coldplay treated New York City to a free concert last night in promotion for their latest Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends. Dressed as characters that just stepped out of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables, Chris Martin and Co, played their first show in North America in more than two years. The last time they did a free stunt like this was back in 2005 at the Beacon Theater in promotion for X&Y. I was also at the Beacon concert and was blown away, however, the band felt it was the worst performance they had ever put on. Martin had even mentioned that intimate show at last nights much larger and wilder experience by saying "we hope you get your monies worth tonight, because the last time we did something like this, if you were at that performance we are sorry, hope tonight makes up for it." Combining their classics's and latest songs off their #1 selling Brian Eno produced record, Coldplay made it up to themselves and delivered a taste of what is to come of this band with this tour. Coldplay have always been known for their live concerts, they are second-to-none and this being the fourth time I have seen them they only get bigger and better. If you think the new songs sound great on disc, just wait till you hear them live, like most Brian Eno produced bands (U2, The Killers), they are songs that are ment to be played live and create an huge swell of sound to encompass the audiences emotions and attention. The highlight of the night was certainly when the band jumped into the crowd and ran across MSG to play an acoustic set of "Yellow," and "Death Will Never Conquer," that featured drummer Will Champion on lead vocals. Last night was historic for both the fans and the band and will certainly be something all involved will truly treasure.

Coldplay Setlist 6/23/08 Madison Square Garden
Life in Technicolor
Violet Hill
Clocks
In My Place
Viva La Vida
Chinese Sleep Chant
God Put A Smile Upon Your Face
42
Square One
Trouble
Lost!
Strawberry Swing
Yellow
Death Will Never Conquer
Fix You
Lovers in Japan

RIP George Carlin

The world already seems a little less funny.....Check out HBO's schedule as they pay tribute to one of the funniest and brilliant minds to ever grace our existence.

The Fratellis on Ferguson

Scotland's finest The Fratellis joined Scotland's funniest Craig Ferguson on the Late Late Show last week. Check out the band's very energetic performance of "Mistress Mabel."

Album News

After 10 long years, The Verve have announced a US release date for their forthcoming record tentative titled Fourth. This the band's fourth record is due August 19! Check out the track listings for Fourth below, in the meantime, The Verve's latest single "Love is Noise," can now be herd streaming on their myspace page.
01 Sit and Wonder
02 Love Is Noise
03 Rather Be
04 Judas
05 Numbness
06 I See Houses
07 Noise Epic
08 Valium Skies
09 Columbo
10 Appalachian Springs

While The Verve bask in their news, their influencers Oasis have also released info on their latest disc. The bands seventh record Dig Out Your Soul is due October 9, and their latest single "The Shock of Lightening," is to be released at the end of September. Oasis guitarist and principal songwriter Noel Gallagher states “I wanted to write music that had a groove; not songs that followed that traditional pattern of verse, chorus and middle eight. I wanted a sound that was more hypnotic; more driving. Songs that would draw you in, in a different way. Songs that you would maybe have to connect to - to feel.” This release will also be accompanied by a world tour.

Playlist

Here is a playlist of tracks to get you amped for the beginning of summer.

-Coldplay - "42"
-The Hold Steady - "Constructive Summer"
-The Wombats - "Let's Dance to Joy Division"
-Bloc Party -"Flux"
-Does it Offend You, Yeah? -"Epic Last Song"
-The Fratellis-"A Heady Tale"
-Foo Fighters -"Keep the Car Running" (Arcade Fire Cover)
-Joy Division - "Love Will Tear Us Apart"
-Depeche Mode - "Dream On"
-U2 - "Staring at the Sun"
-Hot Chip - "Wrestlers"

Coldplay Info

Fantastic List

We all know how much I enjoy making lists; my annual end of the year "Best of" in music lists, my Oscar lists, and playlists. Here is one creative list that I have been gawking in awe at all day it is so good. Here is a link to the "100 Greatest Movie Posters of All Time." Don't judge the content of the film, just the content of the poster because here are 100 pieces of pure cinematic art!

http://www.tccandler.com/columns/100_greatest_movie_posters.htm

They did leave off one poster that definitely deserves a mention....

EURO 08 Updates

With Italy's advancement to the Quater finals...my passion for that team and the sport is on the rise. Keep in touch with latest news on the Tournement.

Indy Watch

So it has been a while since I have written about Indiana Jones, one month exact. Since the film's release and ranking in over $500 million worldwide (and growing), one can make their own assessment of the film whether you liked it or not; one thing is for sure the amount of fun it was to see Indy back on screen was great. However, the original script to Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, or City of God's as it's original title has surfaced online. Vanity Fair Magazine got their hands on it and wrote a review of what Indy 4 could have been. Check it out at www.vanityfair.com.

In this version of the script Shia LaBeuof's character Mutt was non existent and Henry Jones Sr and Sallah were involved. Interesting to see what could have happened, what they kept and what they changed.

Live Review-REM @ Jones Beach

When one attends a concert at Jones Beach in New York, one must realize that the weather is the true headliner of the event. For those that do not know, Jones Beach is an amazing open air venue with a stage and amphitheater resting right in the water. With that in mind last nights brilliant line up of REM with special guests Modest Mouse and The National could only be upstaged by an act of God. Indeed they were as rain, heavy winds and a lightning storm took center stage.
REM took the stage an hour after they were expected to go on due to rain delayes. As the walked on, Michael Stipe came out saying "Welcome to REM:Survivor 2008!," instead of breaking out into one of their own tunes, they kicked the show off with Creedance Clearwater Revivals "Have You Ever Seen The Rain?" with bassist Mike Mills singing the verses and Stipe the choruses, then going into "South Central Rain," the band joked about the weather and were glad the audience still stayed. Backed by screens and photography from Vincent Moon, REM looked beautiful under the electrical storm. Playing only five songs from the band's latest Accelerate, they stuck to a lot of deeper cuts from their previous works. Songs like "Electrolight," "Let Me In," and "Welcome to the Occupation," not only showed the band's musical timeline but staying power. After two unsuccessful records and back in a big way thanks to Accelerate, REM show that after being in this business for three decades they still got it. The "encore," came about after playing "I'm Gonna DJ at the End of the World," Stipe smiled and said "Ok, this is the encore, no point in going off stage we are already wet. Here is where it gets dramatic, what are they going to do? He is so unpredictable and eccentric." Playing a half hour encore with more of their bigger hits, "Losing my Religion," "It's the End of the World as We Know It," and "Man on the Moon," Modest Mouse and former Smith's guitarist Johnny Marr came out to jam for a pleasant surprise.
Opening the show as a personal favorite of mine, The National. The driest band of the evening as they took the stage before the sun went down over the beach. The National began playing to an almost empty theater, but after their first song "Start a War," more people started trickling in and were curious to find out who these guys were. The National's live shows are just incredible. It is beautiful haunting music being played right in front of you and the passion the band has playing their songs is what drives their shows. This was the third time I had seen them and this time in a crowd who had no idea who they were. By then end of their 45 minute set they gained new fans and even a standing ovation.
The most unfortunate band of the night was Modest Mouse. The Pacific Northwest nautical rockers took the stage when it was dry and well, like the title of their latest release We Were All Dead Before the Ship Even Sank. The idea of having a perfect summer band like Modest Mouse at the perfect summer venue, sounds well....perfect. It was anything but. The band came on strong and delivered a lot of deep tracks from The Lonesome Crowded West and The Moon and Antarctica, creating a solid set. The band playing was tight, Isaac Brock's lispy vocals were in tact, Johnny Marr's (who just joined the band last year) guitar work of all Modest Mouses older songs was on point. Nothing on Earth could go wrong to ruin this magnificent set--Mother Nature is a Bitch! As rain and lightening pounded on the beach, half way through the band's brilliant performance, Modest Mouse kept their cool and still played on. 50 minutes into their playing time a bolt of lightening slammed near by the venue sounding like a canon exploded causing the band and crowd to jump and duck for cover. Modest Mouse were unfortunately cut short, and the show was delayed by an hour. However, this was one night I will never forget and glad that the show did go on.

#remjones

Coming Back

2007 will go down in history as the year of reunions, bands I never thought would reunite did; The Police, Rage Against the Machine, The Verve, and even just for one night Led Zeppelin. 2008 will go down in history as the year of the comeback. Bands like Spiritulized, Poritshead and R.E.M. are returning to the mainstream and enjoying much success. These events may have paved the way for band's of this decade who came through then fizzled out to have a comeback. Here are a look at two band's that are emerging once again.

The Soundtrack of Our Lives

A band from Iceland with heavy Pink Floyd influences made a big splash in the alternative music world with their first U.S. release Behind the Music. The album was received very well by both fans and critics and even landed the band a slot opening for Oasis in 2002 and 2005. Their second U.S. release Origins: Vol 1 in 2004 was picked up by the WWE to promote one of their big Pay-Per-View Wrestling gigs. Since then the band has been hush hush, releasing a B-sides record in Europe but have pretty much disappeared here in our neck of the woods. That all changed this morning when The Soundtrack of Our Lives posted their first new song in four years via their myspace page. The song "Utopia," is nothing surprising and sticking to the sound they know how to make. Something very celestial and ambient. Their latest disc Origins: Vol 2, is expected to be released in the fall.

The Music.

One of the craziest live bands with one of the craziest sounds to emerge in years. Picture Robert Plant and Perry Farrell's love child fronting a much harder and faster Depeche Mode. That is The Music. A band from the U.K. that got some attention after opening for Coldplay on their first big amphitheater tour here in the States. By the time of The Music's 2004 sophomore release Welcome to the North, it took the bands to clubs and arena's all over the world. Much like The Soundtrack of Our Lives, four years has passed, however the difference with The Music is a few internal problems side lined the band. The band states "We've been working out who we are, sorting our personal lives and trying to push ourselves to write an album that we and other people can believe in. It's been a difficult process at times, but it's been well worth the struggle." The Music's latest release Strength is Numbers is due out next week and will sure bring them back to where they were. If they are playing anywhere near your hometown, you better go see them, it is a live show you do not want to miss!

ATAL In Studio

As Tall As Lions are locked up in a studio somewhere working on the follow up to their breakthrough 2006 self titled disc. While they are doing this, they released a very intimate look at bassist Julio Taverz recording his vocals while sipping on some wine in a candle lit studio. Check it out..

Beck Tracklisting

Beck has announced the track listing to his forthcoming LP entitled Modern Guilt. The Danger Mouse produced disc is out July 7. Check out the track listing below:

Orphans
Gamma Ray
Chemtrails
Modern Guilt
Youthless
Walls
Replica
Soul of a Man
Profanity Prayers
Volcano

The Roots Live On Letterman

The Roots perform "Rising Up," last month on Letterman. Fresh performance, but then again-would you expect anything less from the most legendary crew?

Quick News

U2 Manager Paul McGuinness gave an update on the bands upcoming untitled record. Check out what he had to say at www.u2.com. While you are there, check out all the info on the remastered reissues of Boy, War and October. That should hold you over till the bands release..

Even more proof that Europe get the best shows. UK Hardcore outfit, Gallows, are opening for Rage Against the Machine in Italy this summer.

The Streets AkA Mike Skinner has announced the title of his 2006 follow up The Hardest Way to Make An Easy Living, his latest LP, due in August is called Everything is Borrowed. Skinner, via his myspace blog stated, " I'm about to wrap my latest album. You're going to hear it in a few months (unless it leaks before then) but I'm already planning the next one. That's what I have to do if you are ever to hear it years from now." However, this next record (the one that's years from now), will be his final record as The Streets.


As of right now you can go to The Hold Steady's myspace page and stream their entire new record, Stay Positive. Let me tell you IT IS AWESOME!!!!

...And One More Link

A month or so ago I mentioned that Santogold, Julian Casablancas and Pharrell Williams were teaming up for a song for Converse Sneakers 100th Anniversary. Check out the finish product as well as more info on the celebrated sneakers centennial. Via Stereogum http://stereogum.com/archives/new-santogold-julian-casablances-pharrell-my-drive_010274.html

Radiohead Cover Portishead!!!!

In a special video-cast, Radiohead's Thom Yorke and Johnny Greenwood do a great acoustic cover of Portishead's "The Rip." Check it out!


Find more videos like this on w.a.s.t.e. central

Soundtrack To A Generation

NPR posted this great article and stream of What Makes a Generation Soundtrack and the Soundtracks Of All Generations. Really thought provoking and nostalgic. Check this out at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91204851&cc=asc-20080606

Coldplay on Kimmel

Coldplay were on Jimmy Kimmel last night and performed SIX SONGS at the Pontiac Garage, unfortunately only two aired, however it is better than nothing. Check out "Viva La Vida," and "Violet Hill" respectively.





In related news...apparently Justice has a done a remix to "Violet Hill," that sounds nothing like "Violet Hill" at all and as Coldplay put it "completely unrecognizable, but cool." Check it out here
http://hypem.com/artist/coldplay+remix+justice

FREE MUSIC!!

Who doesn't love a title like that? Leave it up to Trent Reznor to be Santa Claus every time he decides to put something out. This time around he is putting out a digital E.P. via his website of all the artists that are opening for Nine Inch Nails this summer. Some of the bands include Deerhunter, Crystal Castles and last month's Artist of the Month--Does it Offend You,Yeah and many others. The price is right, so check it out http://www.nin.com/

Rising Artist-Klimt 1918

It is dubbed "uncomfortable, emotional music," but the Italian quartet from Rome should start getting used to the lime light. Klimt 1918 is a outfit that mixes dark 80's new wave (think Bauhaus and The Smiths) and this decades intelligent music (think Arcade Fire and The National). The bands second release Just In Case We'll Never Meet Again (Soundtrack for the Cassette Generation) is due in stores later this month and will be one of those records that will make you sit back, think and just zone out to. It is also one of those records you can have on in the background and even make love to. They do sing is English (so no worries over translation here), but they are the type of band that will strike a chord with audiences around the world. Be sure to check them out on the web and when the album drops later this month.

Movie of the Month-21 Grams

Once in a while there are films that are made that when the end credits roll, the only thing you can say to yourself is "wow." 21 Grams is one of those films. The non-liner story of three lives intersecting over a dramatic situation is the premise for Alejandro González Iñárritu's first English language film. Prior to this Alejandro had created the acclaimed Amores Perros, a similar idea of how lives and paths cross over a drastic cause. After being well received world wide, Alejandro broke into U.S. theaters with 21 Grams. Featuring an electric cast of Benicio Del Toro, Sean Penn and Naomi Watts in one of her greatest performances, 21 Grams just pushes and pulls you emotionally unlike any film before it. The tells the story of Paul Rivers (Penn) a sick Math teacher, Christina Peck (Watts), a former drug addict now an upper-middle-class suburban housewife, and Jack Jordan (Del Toro), an ex-convict who has found Christianity. They will be brought together by a terrible accident when Jack kills Christina's family and Christina's husband's heart is given to Paul in order to save his life. Due to the non-linear aspect of the film and how it is edited, it is not up until the final frame when the truth is truly realized and the audience has to make a decision on what they would do put in these unruly circumstances. One of the best films of the decade and one worth watching over and over again.

Underrated Classic-Rolling Stones "Some Girls"

When you are one of the biggest bands in the world, when you are reaching your prime and a new wave of sound is being ushered in, what do you do next? Well if you are the Rolling Stones you dress up in drag and join the party. In 1978 as Punk is being ushered in to city streets and making the kids go crazy for it, some are calling it the end of Rock, others called it the birth of what is to come. As the 70's neared a close, many were calling the Stones washed up and that their time had come and gone. However, the London boys kept on rolling and with the release of Some Girls, they revitalized their career. While hanging out (or sleeping with) cultural icons and the hipsters/yuppies of the day, Mick Jagger was deeply influenced by the way punk had stormed across New York. Hanging out with everyone from David Bowie to Andy Warhol and Lou Reed, Jagger felt it was necessary for the Stones to make a New York sounding record. In a 1995 interview with Jan Wenner, Jagger stated that "The inspiration for the record was really based in New York and the ways of the town. I think that gave it an extra spur and hardness. And then, of course, there was the punk thing that had started in 1976. Punk and disco were going on at the same time, so it was quite an interesting period. New York and London too." Completely dismissed by critics, Some Girls went on to sell six million copies across the globe. However, the most interesting thing about the record, may not have even been the sound it made. The mystery and brilliance of the record lies within the cover itself. Before the Da Vinci Code, the great mystery right in front of our eyes what was on the cover to Some Girls. It was not just The Stones dolled up as gal pals, or when you slide the record out from it's sleeve the faces changed. It was the friends and figures that made cameo appearances on various versions of the cover. Everyone from George Harrison, Lucille Ball, Judy Garland to Marilyn Monroe graced the cover in one version or another. The band did not use permission from most if not all of the figures and were sued. However, original pressings of the record still float around today and are worth the money if you can grab one!

NERD Tracklisting and Cover

Pharrell and the boys unleashed the track listing and album cover for their forthcoming release Seeing Sounds. The record will be in stores next Tuesday, but here is a taste of what you can expect....

1. Intro/Time For Some Action
2. Everyone Nose (All the Girls Standing in Line for the Bathroom)
3. Windows
4. Anti Matter
5. Spaz
6. Yeah You
7. Sooner or Later
8. Happy
9. Kill Joy
10. Love Bomb
11. You Know What
12. Laugh About It
13. Laser Gun