The Black Keys tour as brothers, support the release of Brothers as brothers, possibly bathe as brothers?

By Nobodaddy on

The Black Keys tour as brothers, support the release of Brothers as brothers, possibly bathe as brothers?

Let’s get one thing straight. The Black Keys (Dan Autumnbottom and Patrick Stump, I think their names are?) are not, in fact, biological “brothers.” Oh SURE, they may “bro-down” a lot together, and they probably know more about each other from both releasing records like the forthcoming Brothers LP (due May 18 via Nonesuch) and touring the world together in support of said recordings… but let’s be honest here: these guys are liars. And moreover, as a male myself who actually DOES have a male sibling out there in the world, I find their cavalier and insensitive casual use of the term “brothers” to be oppressive, confrontational, and offensive. There’s a word for what they’re doing. It’s called Fratricism, people! The smugness of these guys will not stand! Not in MY United States of America, friends.

I am here today to suggest that we TRUE brothers unite in a fraternal boycott of all promotions and tourdates related to this Black Keys release! Who is with me? Never mind that they’ve just added a second show at Central Park’s SummerStage on July 28 following their sold-out July 27 show! And never mind that those Fratricists who purchase presale tickets starting March 30 through the band’s website will receive a special bundle, which includes a copy of Brothers upon its release (either digital only or digital and physical!), as well as two free instant downloads from the album — “Next Girl” and the Dangermouse-produced “Tighten Up”! And certainly never mind that The Black Keys will also be playing a handful of spring warm-up dates, including an opening slot for their professed-heroes Pearl Jam at Madison Square Garden on May 20 and performances on the Late Show on May 25 and Late Night with Whoever on May 26! No, my friends. Pay no attention to these things whatsoever. Resist the temptation to dance and sing to this catchy-yet-myth-perpetuating devil music! Biological brothers unite! The degradation ends today.

Fratricism Tour 2010:

04.08.10 - Iowa City, IA, University of Iowa Memorial
04.10.10 - San Francisco, CA - Yuri’s Night Bay Area 2010
04.17.10 - Live Oak, FL - Wanee Music Festival
04.18.10 - Miami, FL - The Fillmore Miami Beach
04.19.10 - Orlando, FL - The House of Blues
05.20.10 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
05.25.10 - New York, NY - “Late Show with David Letterman”
05.26.10 - New York, NY - “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”
06.02.10 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Depot
06.03.10 - Denver, CO - The Fillmore
06.04.10 - Kansas City, MO - The Crossroads
06.08.10 - Minneapolis, MN - First Ave
06.09.10 - Minneapolis, MN - First Ave
06.10.10 - St. Louis, MO - The Pagaent
06.11.10 - Manchester, TN - Bonnaroo
07.27.10 - New York, NY - Central Park SummerStage
07.28.10 - New York, NY - Central Park SummerStage

Brothers

01. Everlasting Light
02. Next Girl
03. Tighten Up
04. Howlin’ For You
05. She’s Long Gone
06. Black Mud
07. The Only One
08. Too Afraid To Love You
09. Ten Cent Pistol
10. Sinister Kid
11. The Go Getter
12. I’m Not The One
13. Unknown Brother
14. Never Gonna Give You Up
15. These Days

• The Black Keys: http://www.theblackkeys.com
• Nonesuch: http://www.nonesuchrecords.com

[Photo: James Carney]

Current 93 announce new LP, Baalstorm, Sing Omega, and anniversary gigs with Nurse with Wound, Comus, Andrew W.K., and Sasha Grey

By Jon Lorenz on Mar 30 2010

Current 93 are turning a quarter of a century this year, while the group’s founder David Tibet is celebrating his 50th birthday. To celebrate, they’re throwing a couple special anniversary concerts in London, May 28 and 29. The shows will take place at London’s HMV Forum with a slew of special guests, including Andrew W.K., Matt Sweeney (Superwolf, Zwan), Alex Neilson (Bonnie “Prince” Billy, The Red Krayola), Keith Wood, Baby Dee, Bill Breeze, Sasha Grey, Michael Cashmore Eliot Bates, and London author Sebastian Horsley. Both nights will include rare performances from Current 93 associates Nurse With Wound on the first night and Comus and newcomers Rameses III on the second. Tickets are on sale now.

05.28.10 - London, UK - HMV Forum ~
05.29.10 - London, UK - HMV Forum *

~ Nurse With Wound
* Comus and Rameses III

Meanwhile, Current 93’s new album, Baalstorm, Sing Omega (December 1971), is due May 28.

• David Tibet: http://www.myspace.com/davidtibet
• Current 93: http://www.brainwashed.com/c93

Abracadabra! White Rabbits Tour with Here We Go Magic

By Annapocalypse on Mar 30 2010

Somewhere, several publicists are patting themselves on the back for convincing White Rabbits to tour with Here We Go Magic. Abracadabra, alakazam — yay puns! But seriously, do you think the two bands are going to be too busy making each other disappear and sawing their tour managers in half to make it to each venue in time for soundcheck? Just something to think about it. White Rabbits are supporting their 2009 release It’s Frightening (TMT Review), out now on TBD Records, and Here We Go Magic are supporting their 2009 self-titled album, also available now on Western Vinyl.

Hocus pocus:

04.05.10 - Charlottesville, VA - Jefferson Theater *
04.06.10 - Asheville, NC - Grey Eagle *
04.07.10 - Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506
04.08.10 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl
04.09.10 - Orlando, FL - The Social *
04.10.10 - Jacksonville, FL - Jax Live *
04.11.10 - Tallahassee, FL - Club Downunder *
04.13.10 - Houston, TX - Walter’s on Washington *
04.14.10 - Austin, TX - The Independent *
04.16.10 - Phoenix, AZ - The Clubhouse *
04.17.10 - Indio, CA - Coachella Festival
04.20.10 - Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge *
04.21.10 - Boulder, CO - Fox Theater
04.23.10 - Kansas City, KS - Sandstone Amphitheater &
04.24.10 - Madison, WI - High Noon Saloon *
04.25.10 - Chicago, IL - Metro *
04.26.10 - Indianapolis, IN - Radio Radio *
04.27.10 - Toronto, ON - Lee’s Palace *
04.28.10 - Montreal, QC - Petit Campus *
05.01.10 - Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club *

* Here We Go Magic
& Flaming Lips, Dead Weather, Minus the Bear

• White Rabbits: http://www.myspace.com/whiterabbits
• TBD: http://www.tbdrecords.com
• Here We Go Magic: http://www.myspace.com/herewegomagic
• Western Vinyl: http://www.westernvinyl.com

[Photo: Lucy Hamblin]

Fans celebrate John Lennon’s memory with two-month festival in Liverpool

By Erika H on Mar 30 2010

On October 9, 2010, John Lennon would have turned 70 years old. Last year’s birthday was pretty uneventful (unless you count the September 9 release of The Beatles Remastered Set and The Beatles: Rock Band a nod to John’s D.O.B.). This year, however, that day will mark the beginning of a two-month festival in Lennon’s honor, held in the Liverpudlian’s hometown.

Events include a birthday celebration at the legendary Cavern Club, a film festival, Lennon-based lectures, visual art exhibitions at Liverpool John Moores University, and an international poetry competition. Additionally, Lennon pilgrims can visit the exhibition “White Feather: Spirit of John Lennon” at the Beatles Story Pier Head. Curated by John’s first wife Cynthia (née Powell) and their son Julian Lennon, the exhibition originally opened in Liverpool last June but has been extended to remain open until December 31, 2010.

According to the Liverpool Daily Post, the festival will culminate on December 9 (the day after what will be the 30th anniversary of his death) in a tribute concert, John Lennon Remembered, at the Echo Arena.

Now the question remains: why is Ozzy Osbourne one of the first guests to be publicized?

• John Lennon: http://www.johnlennon.com

Unleash the Diggle: Buzzcocks guitarist Steve Diggle goes solo on new album

By Liz Louche on Mar 30 2010

Buzzcocks co-singer/guitarist Steve Diggle is going rogue — well, at least going solo. As in, he’s releasing his first full-on album under his own name. The legendary punk rocker has previously released material under the name Flag of Convenience, but this time around he told Spinner that “another name would just confuse people…. Plus if anyone leaves this band, I’m still in, because I’m it.”

Diggle’s new album, entitled Air Conditioning also features performances from current fellow Buzzcocks member Chris Remington on bass.

In Buzzcocks news, Diggle says the band is currently getting some new tracks together and may be ready to put out a new album next year.

• Steve Diggle: http://www.myspace.com/stevediggle

Beta Band’s Steve Mason says Boys Outside, except John Cusack; he can stay inside

By E. Nagurney on Mar 30 2010

Remember The Beta Band? They came along, charmed the world with songs equally beautiful and bizarre, became part of a weird little scene in High Fidelity, released some records, and then disappeared. But since their breakup, the group’s members have been fairly active in projects like The Aliens, King Biscuit Time, and Black Affair. Steve Mason, Beta Band member and creative force behind those latter two projects, is now stepping out solo with the help of producer Richard X. Mason recently signed with Domino Records’ imprint Double Six, who will release his new album, Boys Outside, on May 3 in the UK and June 22 in the US.

With Mr. X around, we can only expect block-rockin’ beats, right? Wrong. You are a fool. As it turns out, Mason has made a conscious effort to strip the songs back to their basic elements and wrote the album entirely on acoustic guitar. Don’t believe Mason on that note? Well, listen to first single “All Come Down” here and be proven wrong. Not exactly something that’s going to be setting the dance floor on fire.

Boys Outside tracklist:

01. Understand My Heart
02. Am I Just A Man
03. The Letter
04. Yesterday
05. Lost & Found
06. I Let Her In
07. Stress Position
08. All Come Down
09. Boys Outside
10. Hound On My Heel

• Steve Mason: http://www.stevemasontheartist.com
• Domino: http://dominorecordco.us

[Photo: Nick Wilson]

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