In his latest pathetic attempt to stroke his own ego, Billy Corgan has posted a manifesto of sorts on The Smashing Pumpkins’ website. Okay, truthfully, I didn't read the entire thing, as I fear it would somehow take some of my dignity away (and I have very little of that to spare). But for those of you who want to take the high road and read the entire post, check it out here. For the rest of you, here is my summary based on what I gathered:
Hello, this is Billy Corgan! I am the King of Smashing Pumpkins. I am also the king of music, sex, and the world! Remember this music video? It was great -- my favorite part is me, Billy Corgan! The old world is dead, long live the new era, the era of Billy Corgan! Referring to Billy Corgan in the third person is a joke, but not really... Billy Corgan is Billy Corgan! Blah blah blah blah Billy Corgan blah blah Billy Corgan!
And there you have it, folks. While the all-knowing Mr P said “I wonder if we should stop posting stories on this bullshit...” when this story was assigned, I think we need to constantly remind ourselves what happens when egos go wild -- and the dangers that come with it.
Before we get into the news, I want to chat about a couple things. First, I want to announce that I worked security at a frat party last night (at a music venue where I work), and Three 6 Mafia played. Oh, and it was bad. Second, I want to talk about how I think Lost is the new Passions. **SPOILER ALERT** For those who have not watched it yet, smoke monster was insanely lame (although I was a fan of Ben-beat-down-via-Desmond.) Special effects, in the house... NOT. I’m down with the sci-fi route if that’s how they’re going to do it, but some of this shit is getting ridiculous. Granted, there is no town-witch Tabitha, or, as my friend Rohan pointed out, “Where is Timmy the midget though?” And there is no story lines like the one my friend Sarah brought up: “Remember the episode when Charity saw HELL in her bedroom closet?” Let’s hope not, at least. Lost better watch out. Okay, on to the news...
- Lightning Bolt, who haven’t done shit since 2005-2006 (they scrapped an album or whatever, but might have a new one? Who knows), have a random European tour coming up. Their tour starts mid-May in Brussels and ends in early June in Rotterdam. You can find all the dates at the Conspiracy Booking site.
- Icy Demons are also hopping across the pond for a tour, which kicks off in mid-April at the Festival Abril No Tan Cruel (which I think means April Not So Cruel, or they’re anti-tanning) in Madrid and finishes at the end of May in Cherbourg at the Festiva Terra Trema, L’Epicentre. There is a complete list of dates on their MySpace page.
- Bumbershoot, Seattle’s music and arts festival, announced a partial lineup for its 39th annual event. The three-day event will take place September 5-7 at the Seattle Center. Three-day passes are on sale now and are only $80 -- that ain’t too shabby. So far, the lineup includes Modest Mouse, Katy Perry, De La Soul, Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan, The Long Winters, Extra Golden, MSTRKRFT, Dead Confederate, No Age, and many more. You can find complete details on the festival at the official Bumbershoot site.
- Chin Up Chin Up have decided to break up and will play their last show May 15 at The Empty Bottle in their hometown of Chicago. Singer Jeremy Bolen posted a comment about the show and break up on their MySpace page.
1. Black Pus, the "solo project" of Lightning Bolt member Brian Chippendale, has released a bunch of life-altering albums that you should all listen to. Black Pus 4: All Aboard the Magic Pus (TMT Review) was released last year. 2. You likey "air guitar."
3. And you likey mushrooms?
04.11.09 - Binghamton, NY - The Cafe Oasis 04.12.09 - Pittsburgh, PA - The Nerve 04.13.09 - Cincinnati, OH - Art Damage Lodge 04.14.09 - Asheville, NC - Orange Peel * 04.15.09 - Richmond, VA - National Theater * 04.16.09 - Washington DC - 9:30 Club * 04.17.09 - Baltimore, MD - a small branch on a Spidery Hill 04.18.09 - Philadelphia, PA - Copy Gallery 04.20.09 - Boston, MA - House of Blues * 04.21.09 - New York, NY - Terminal 5 * 04.22.09 - Brooklyn, NY - Death by Audio 04.23.09 - Providence, RI - AS220 05.17.09 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg (No Fun Fest)
People keep talking about saving up for 09-09-09, so a Google search later, I've discovered that the entire catalogue by some band called "The Beatles" is going to be remastered. I mean, I know they did the soundtrack for 2007's Across the Universe, but I don't see what the big deal is.
Anyway, Apple Corps Ltd. and EMI Music will release two collections. The first is a stereo box set of 12 "Beatles" albums, Magical Mystery Tour, and Past Masters Vol. 1 and II with all sorts of goodies, like expanded booklets, replicated original UK album art (chew on that for a second), extended liner notes, and rare photos. And if I understand this incredibly dense press release correctly, each CD will be embedded with a brief documentary about the album (which will also be collected on DVD). Phew!
The second box set will be entitled The Beatles in Mono, combining 10 Beatles recordings that were mixed for a mono release.
The ugly American in me wants to think that Sigur Rós (and probably Björk) are the only Icelanders making a decent living after the near total collapse of their nation’s economy. Then again, that’s like saying The Fray (and probably Taylor Swift) are the only Americans making a decent living after the near total collapse of their nation’s economy, which... now that I think about it... might be true... Nah! I’m pretty sure Beyonce’s doing okay, too. No need to worry, America. Crisis averted.
Despite a horrid fiscal situation the world over, the voice of Sigur Rós, Jón Þór Birgisson, ain’t doing too bad for himself. Hot on the heels of Sigur Rós’ fifth record Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust (TMT Review), Birgisson will release a new record with colleague Alex Somers on July 20. The pair has collaborated on a number of art exhibitions over the last few years as Riceboy Sleeps, which coincidentally is the name of the album. Here’s one of their art pieces. One motherfuck of a downer, ain’t it? Well, that’s Iceland for you. Or America. Or some other place in the world where lives are being crushed either by senseless monotony or nose-diving bank accounts. Hmm, I guess that’s everywhere. Oh well, fuck the world and fuck all of you!
Legendary Japanese pysch band Ghost will be making their way over to the United States at the end of April for a three-week tour. They'll be hitting up everywhere they can between the east and west of the USA. Along the road, they will be joined by fellow Drag City newbies Magik Markers (TMT News) for a five-day stint.
Here are the dates: 04.28.09 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent 04.30.09 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge 05.01.09 - Seattle, WA - The Crocodile 05.02.09 - Missoula, MT - The Badlander 05.04.09 - Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry 05.05.09 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle 05.06.09 - Pontiac, MI - The Crofoot (The Pike Room) 05.07.09 - Pittsburgh, PA - Andy Warhol Museum 05.08.09 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's 05.09.09 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg* 05.10.09 - Washington, DC - Velvet Lounge* 05.11.09 - Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506* 05.12.09 - Ashville, NC - Grey Eagle Tavern & Music* 05.13.09 - Athens, GA - Tasty World* 05.14.09 - Birmingham, AL - Bottletree 05.15.09 - New Orleans, LA - One-Eyed Jacks 05.16.09 - Austin, TX - The Mohawk 05.18.09 - Denver, CO - Hi Dive 05.19.09 - Albuquerque, NM - Launchpad 05.20.09 - Tucson, AZ - Hotel Congress 05.21.09 - Los Angeles, CA - Spaceland
