R U Fur Sirius!?! Sirius XM Reportedly Preparing To File For Bankruptcy
By Nobodaddy on 02-16-2009
Okay, so first things first: According to a modest little rag called the New York Times, Sirius XM radio is preparing to file for a possible bankruptcy. Second things second: No, you’re not crazy, the two satellite-radio businesses did just merge in July 2008, and yes, that usually means that the new company should emerge with greater solvency than before. But apparently the extra-terrestrial nature of this whole business just means that the laws of nature just don’t apply, because the joint company hilariously remains in a $3.25 billion debt. This begs the question: is Stern’s creepy voice really worth launching literal fleets of satellites into outer space for?? I mean, besides, we all saw what happened in Independence Day with those satellites, right? Think about it.
Of course, Howard “turn around... show me, show us your rack... ohmygodlookatthat... so hot, so hot!” Stern isn’t the only culprit here; this has a lot to do with that whole credit squeeze deal as well. But the high price of “talent” like Stern and that whole firing-rockets-into-space thing ain’t exactly cheap. And while subscribers have been growing steadily, less people are currently buying cars, and thus less people are installing this not-much-better-sounding and much-more-expensive instrument in their car. Plus, attempts to lure a younger audience have so far been... well, you know, met with cynicism. Sirius XM also recently announced that there would be rate increases for new customers as the satellite radio company scrounged for more revenue. Sounds like “Sirius trouble,” am I right folks!? Gabba-gabba-hey!
While a bankruptcy announcement wouldn’t likely cause any service interruption for customers and rack-connoisseurs, the NYT reports that the company could ultimately be forced to terminate the contracts with Stern, Martha Stewart and others. Or... they could just combine those two shows, am I right!? High five?? No? Alright!
Anyway, back to this horrible situation that doesn’t affect me in any way: Sirius XM owes a $175 million payment on its massive debt by the end of this month, which the company likely will be unable to pay. However, this financial pinch has opened the door for satellite TV company Echostar (who already bought up $400 million of Sirius XM’s debt that was due in December 2008) to take over Sirius XM. Sirius chief executive Mel Karmazin and Echostar chief executive Charles W. Ergen are reportedly in talks to consider Sirius XM’s options and a possible takeover. Possibly via satellite! Hey, come on! High Five!
The War on Drugs Tour with The Hold Steady, Cue Witty Puns by Pretentious Writers
By Brom on 02-16-2009
The Hold Steady brought in to aid The War on Drugs.
The War on Drugs to be won with Craig Finn’s gruff vocals.
Craig Finn ditches his day-job to help The War on Drugs.
The War on Drugs plumbs to new depths.
We’re losing The War on Drugs – desperate measures required.
We’re winning The War on Drugs –The Hold Steady recruited for massive celebration.
Want to fight The War on Drugs? Start writing lyrically detailed songs backed up with punchy guitar lines.
The War on Drugs takes their name from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) attempt to fight the proliferation of illicit narcotics throughout the United States. The Hold Steady is playing in support.
The War on Drugs tourdates:
02.19.09 - Oostende, Belgium - Manuscript
02.20.09 - Lille, France - L'Aeronef
02.21.09 - Clermont Ferrand, France - Nuits de Alligator
02.22.09 - Bordeaux, France - Le St X
02.24.09 - Paris, France - Maroquinerie
02.25.09 - Evreux, France - Nuits de Alligator @ L'Abordage
02.26.09 - Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso
02.27.09 - Groningen, NL - Vera
02.28.09 - Den Bosch, NL - W2
03.01.09 - Antwerp, Belgium - Trix
03.02.09 - Brussel, Belgium - Botanique
03.04.09 - Munchen, Germany - Orange House
03.05.09 - Leipzig, Germany - NATO
03.06.09 - Hannover, Germany - Cafe Glocksee
03.31.09 - Albany, NY - Valentine's #
04.01.09 - Buffalo, NY - Tralf Music Hall #
04.03.09 - Urbana, IL - Courtyard Cafe #
04.04.09 - Bloomington, IN - Jakes Nightclub #
04.05.09 - Chicago, IL - Schubas #
04.06.09 - St. Louis, MO - Gargoyle #
04.07.09 - Iowa City, IA - The Picador #
04.08.09 - Omaha, NE - Slowdown #
04.10.09 - Boulder, CO - Fox Theatre #
04.11.09 - Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge #
04.13.09 - Las Vegas, NV - Beauty Bar #
04.14.09 - Stateline, NV - Harrah's Tahoe South Shore #
04.15.09 - Sacramento, CA - Harlow's #
04.18.09 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge !
04.20.09 - San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill
04.21.09 - Los Angeles, CA - The Echo
# The Hold Steady
! Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band
Kool Keith Tours, Makes Lingerie Company, Makes Porno Company, Makes Track with Tom Waits, Makes You Listen When He Urinates
By Mike McHugh on 02-16-2009
Yes, Kool Keith is going on tour as Dr. Dooom starting February 17. Yes, he is starting his own lingerie company called KK Fashion. Yes, he is starting his own pornographic film company called KK Film. Yes, he is featured on a track off the new N.A.S.A. record, Spirit of Apollo, with Tom Waits. And yes, according to the track “That Girl is a Monster” off Keith’s latest album Dr. Dooom 2, quoth the doctor, “When I urinate, you listen.”
Sorry to write so bluntly, but I had to lay it down plain so you knew I wasn’t lying. And I wasn’t. But you know what, I bet you still weren’t at all surprised. Had it been Sufjan Stevens’ name in that headline, then yeah, it would have been surprising. But not Kool Keith. HipHopDX could break a story about Keith boning Roseanne on the altar of Artemis in the lost city of Atlantis and not a single eyelash would fall from my brow due to disbelieving blinks. My own mother could break down my door and frantically tell me how Kool Keith just beat Dan the Automator to death with a petrified otter tail and scarcely a trickle of Capri Sun would burst forth from my delicate lips. Kool Keith is a mind unchained, and I will never be shocked at anything he does until a genuine, honest-to-God spaceship is involved. Barring that, I will simply be delighted by every glorious curveball Kool Keith throws at the public.
Not much more needs to be said, except that Kool Keith’s sudden love for pornographic fashion comes from his distaste for the current state of smut apparel, and the porno(s) KK Films produces will feature a soundtrack by Keith himself comprised of unreleased material. Also, if any of ya’ll are interested in a role in one of Keith’s films, contact him at this here address. He’s currently looking for “upcoming, ethnic talent” to “take [pornography] to another level.” So if you wanna be filmed having sex in front of/with Kool Keith, this is your opportunity. Don’t waste it.
02.17.09 - Victoria, B.C. - Sugar
02.19.09 - Vancouver, B.C. - Richards On Richards
02.20.09 - Seattle, WA - Neumos
02.21.09 - Portland, OR - Berbatis Pan
02.22.09 - Bend, OR - The Domino Room
02.24.09 - Arcata, CA - Humbolt Brews
02.25.09 - Harlows- Sacramento, CA
02.26.09 - San Francisco, CA - Mezzanine
02.27.09 - Los Angeles, CA - El Rey
02.28.09 - San Diego, CA - Casbah
03.05.09 - Austin, TX - The Mohawk
03.06.09 - Dallas, TX - Palladium Loft
03.07.09 - Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon
03.08.09 - Augustine, FL - Harvest of Hope Festival
04.02.09 – Baltimore, MA – Sonar
04.03.09 – New York, NY – Blender Theatre at Gramercy
04.04.09 – Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brendas
04.16.09 – Minneapolis, MN – Whole Music Club
04.17.09 – Chicago, IL – Reggies
04.18.09 – Bloomington, IN – Jake’s Night Club
04.19.09 – Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop
Indie Bands Clean Up At Grammy Awards; Does That Sound Weird To Anyone Else?
By Scott Lauer on 02-16-2009
Independent music hasn't been a "best kept secret" for years. Of course, it's great that independent musicians are finally getting mainstream recognition and making a living off their music, but it just sort of feels like The Twilight Zone lately. Indeed, the independent is no longer independent.
Case in point: independent musicians netted 56 of the overall 110 awards at this year's Grammy Awards. Notable independent wins include Robert Plant and Alison Krauss with their album Raising Sand earning Album of the Year, and of course now-indie favorites Radiohead grabbing Best Alternative Album with their pay-what-you-please album In Rainbows (TMT Review). Good work, team indie!
Now, it will really be time to reconsider the state of “indie music” when Animal Collective get what they deserve and take home next year's Album of the Year Grammy for Merriweather Post Pavilion (TMT Review) and when Stephen Malkmus serves as MC of the show.
Justice Design New Coca-Cola Bottle; Crystal Castles Stuck Trying To Revive Crystal Pepsi
By Annapocalypse on 02-16-2009
Being the biggest electronica duo in the world does have its perks -- in this case, teaming up with major soft drink companies to design a new bottle, for example. Thankfully, Justice totally prefers Coke to Pepsi, and so does So Me, the designer who helped them out (and also the same guy that designs Ed Banger Records cover art and directed Justice’s “D.A.N.C.E.” and Kanye West’s “Good Life” videos).
Unfortunately, Justice’s new Coke design is only available for sale in European dance clubs and the unveiling of the new bottle already happened last week at the VIP Room in Paris. Bummer! But if you still want to get in on all of this action, here is a list of other musicians who have decided to jump on the $oda-pop bandwagon:
- Crystal Castles are trying to revive Crystal Pepsi.
- Juggalo’s unite! Insane Clown Posse is still shilling for Faygo.
- Limp Bizkit’s reunion tour is going to be sponsored by EXTREME Mountain EXTREME Dew EXTREME BRO!
- Guns N' Roses are giving away free Dr. Pep—oh, shit, nevermind.
