Punk Memorabilia Goes On Auction Block at Christie’s in NYC in First Historic Punk Memorabilia Auction; Kid Midnight Places $300 Bid On Sid Vicious’ Last Hypodermic Needle, Plans on Getting Real High
By Kid Midnight on Oct 30 2008
As reported by The Associated Press, Christie's in New York City will be hosting an auction titled Pop Culture: Punk/Rock, with the primary focus of getting even more money from the Punk Brand. With the music, lifestyle, and fashion already bought, sold, marketed, and distilled, why not start cashing in on useless relics of a bygone era? Personally, I love the idea of a “Punk Auction”; it’s a great chance for all those stodgy squares to get their minds blown by an anti-authoritarian youth culture. Yeah!
Some of the 300 items going on sale: a flier for one of The Clash’s first shows, publicity photos signed by The Sex Pistols, a rare poster for a 1976 Ramones show in London (which, as we all know, everyone involved in British Punk, ever, attended), a copy of the first press release for The Sex Pistols (!), and a press packet from 1966 wherein a young David Jones made it known that, from that point on, he would only respond to the name David Bowie.
The auction also features records, press materials, promotional junk, and photos for other “punk” bands, like Nirvana, The Velvet Underground, Patti Smith, The Ramones, David Bowie, New Kids on the Block*, Blondie, The Cure, and The Smiths. Most of the stuff is expected to earn anywhere from $300 to $6,000 apiece. That’s a small price to pay for “real life rock ‘n’ roll history,” though, right? Why not just own the records? Why not just listen to the music? Why do we value junk so much? Is anyone listening?
Christie's “pop culture chief” Simeon Lipman had this to say about the whole farce: “Ten years ago, punk memorabilia probably wouldn't be something we'd be auctioning here. But now, people of a certain age have a certain ability to splurge on this material." In other words: If people have money to spend, we’ll make something seem valuable, outlandishly valuable.
The auction is scheduled for November 24.
* Kidding
Attention Lily Allen Lovers! Lily Has A Message For You: It’s Not Me, It’s You.
By Annapocalypse on Oct 30 2008
Oh, bloody hell! Lily Allen, everyone’s favorite Jager-swilling British songstress and "Queen of MySpace," is back with a follow-up to her 2007 debut, Alright, Still. Its title? It’s Not Me, It’s You. How subtle, Lily! Recorded at Eagle Rock Studios in LA with producer Greg Kurstin of The Bird and the Bee, the album is due for release February 10 on Capitol Records.
According to Rolling Stone (via the press release), “Highlights include ‘Everyone's at It,’ a synth-pop song about prescription drugs that features Allen on xylophone; ‘He Wasn't There,’ which matches emotional lyrics about her absent father to a jazz groove; and ‘Not Fair,’ a saucy country song about an inadequate lover.” Xylophones + saucy country = Lily Allen?! I guess we’ll find out for sure on February 10.
It’s Not Me, It’s You tracklisting:
Wu-Tang Confirms Upcoming Tour; No, I Don’t Know if Ghostface Is Part of It – Chill Out
By J.E. Williams on Oct 30 2008
Up from the 36 Chambers, The Wu-Tang Clan are planning to hit the road on a coast to coast U.S. tour in support of their most recent album, 2007’s 8 Diagrams (TMT Review). The hip-hop legends from Shaolin, better known as Staten Island, are starting their run in Portland November 29 and won’t be quitting until they get to Atlanta in 2009. The only lingering question now is whether or not all eight members will show up to the shows (though, I'd count these dudes out).
The tour is not only coming in support of their last LP, but also to help back a DVD the group released in early October, Live at Montreux 2007, which features the Tang performing at last year’s Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. On top of all that, the clan has recently approved a documentary set to air on BET on November 13 and subsequently be released on November 18 (TMT News). The documentary, Wu: The Story of The Wu-Tang Clan, will feature interviews and archival footage of each of the Clan’s members. Be sure to catch the group and the DVDs if you're not already completely broke.
Wu-Tang Clan tourdates:
Marnie Stern Adds More Dates with Gang Gang Dance, Spins
By Mr P on Oct 29 2008
Look at the silhouette of Marnie Stern spinning below. Is she spinning clockwise or counter-clockwise?
If you think Stern is spinning clockwise, then you use your right side of the brain more, which tends to be associated with feelings, imagination, symbols, philosophy/religion, fantasy, and creativity.
If you think Stern is spinning counter-clockwise, then your brain is more attuned to logic, language, reality, practicality, math, and science.
If you like Stern's new album, This Is It and I Am It and You Are It and So Is That and He Is It and She Is It and It Is It and That Is That (TMT Review), then you'll want to catch her and Gang Gang Dance (TMT Review) on their newly expanded tour, where she'll spin for you in person:
$ Gang Gang Dance
Surprise! Payola Still Keeps Indie Labels off the Air, According to Study
By ryryjensen on Oct 29 2008
Independent labels do not get the same treatment as majors in terms of radio airplay, a new survey finds. The A2IM (American Association of Independent Music) conducted the 18-month survey of 61 indie labels -- the largest in the past decade -- to judge the effectiveness of FCC's Rules of Engagement agreement, which was signed in March 2007 and put into place to curb payola in commercial radio practices.
The study concludes that over 92% of indie labels reported no change in relationships with radio stations, and 41% claim payola still determines commercial radio airplay. Since the signing of the FCC settlement, one in four labels (nine of the thirty-nine that responded to this particular question) indicated they had been asked to at one point supply some form of payola.
The A2IM is quick to dismiss the study as a completely negative finding, indicating the presence of some success stories and the 5.8% of labels that say they have a better relationship with commercial radio stations since the agreement. The organization also considers the success of internet and satellite radio by independent labels and musicians as a positive sign.
Commercial radio stations, meanwhile, can take this survey into account and pay more attention to independent labels. As Rich Bengloff, President of A2IM explains: "Rebranding radio as cool and creating a stronger bond with their local listeners is vital to the health of radio. We invite radio programmers to read this report and open their minds – and playlists – to the opportunities presented by playing more independent music.”
