AIDS Wolf Proclaim The Positive Effects of Modern Medicine, Change Name to HIV Wolf, Tour Europe
By Kid Midnight on Aug 20 2009
Pleasantly named noise rockers AIDS Wolf have announced that, due to a well-regimented healthy lifestyle full of exercise and nutritious eating habits, they have now been told by doctors that they can revert to their previous name of HIV Wolf. The band was quick to point out that it would not have recovered as quickly as it did if it weren’t for the help of modern pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. A band spokesman made this statement: “Although a healthy lifestyle surely aided in the band’s recovery, a full turn in a healthy direction was only made after the timely and well-prescribed use of multiple medicines.”
The official statement goes on to urge all fans of the band to learn more about modern health insurance policies, the effects of medicine on HIV/AIDS, and the plight of the many people in the world who are currently infected but cannot afford treatment. The band also urged fans to donate what they can to agencies that aim to secure medicine for those less fortunate.
Finally, the statement ends with a list of newly announced European dates and a tongue-in-cheek promise from the band to “use protection during intercourse and to always inform their sex partners of their condition while on tour.” The band hopes that the pledge will also do well in informing their fanbase about the necessity of safe sex in the modern world
11.13.09 - Diksmuide, Belgium - 4AD w/ Oxbow
11.14.09 - Bremen, Germany - Friese
11.15.09 - Koeln, Germany - Kulturbunker
11.17.09 - Poitiers, France - Confort Moderne
11.18.09 - Bordeaux, France - Le Saint Ex
11.19.09 - Lyon, France - Grrrnd Zero w/ Foot Village
11.20.09 - Milano, Italy - La Casa 139
11.21.09 - Neuchatel, Switzerland - Queen Kong Club w/ Dreams
11.23.09 - Nuernberg, Germany - K4
11.24.09 - Vienna, Austria - Fluc
11.25.09 - Prague, Czech - Klub 007
11.27.09 - Amsterdam, Holland - OCCII
11.28.09 - Utrecht, Holland - Le Guess Who Festival
Kranky Means Kwality! Nudge (JMOF/Strategy) to Release New Joint!
By Kenny Bloggins on Aug 19 2009
Those looking for some funky post-rock jammage, listen up! Los Angeles-based Nudge (not to be confused with The Nuge), featuring members of
Jackie-O Motherfucker and Strategy, are slated to drop a doozy via Kranky on September 7. As Good As Gone is a slow-burning, gorgeous follow-up to 2005's Cached (TMT Review). While the subterranean groove and minor-key construction on As Good As Gone evoke a more haunting, nighttime-appropriate flavor, there’s also a visceral optimism that
runs underneath the record’s seven songs like groundwater. Perhaps
it’s the playfulness between genres and moods, or the freewheeling
construction of the songs... or perhaps not all noise/post-rock/freak-psych kids like to make nihilistic records. Yes, I've heard it, and it's good.
You will like it, too:
1. Harmo
2. Two Hands
3. Verdantique
4. Aurolac
5. Tito
6. Burns Blue
7. Dawn Comes Light
A European tour (possibly with labelmate White Rainbow) supporting the
record will follow. In the meantime, get a glimpse of the new album
via the group's MyYourOurSpace.
Ghostface, Method Man, and Raekwon Form Like Voltron for Joint LP; Also Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II Finally Dropping Next Month, New Ghostface LP Later This Year, Method Man Allegedly Shot Fan with a Pellet Gun
By Mike McHugh on Aug 19 2009
When The Wu-Tang Clan's fifth record 8 Diagrams (TMT Review dropped in December of 2007, the Killa Beez found its greatest critic lodged within its own chambers. Apparently Raekwon felt RZA had ignored the input of the rest of the Clan in favor of his own overarching vision, a sentiment that is certainly not new among the Wu. As a counter to the Abbot, Rae announced plans for a new album called Shaolin Vs. The Wu-Tang, essentially a brand new Wu-Tang joint without the RZA’s involvement.
While the beef between Chef and the Razor eventually waned, talk about Shaolin vs. The Wu-Tang did not, though the fundamental concept went through the ringer a couple times. The idea shifted from Wu-minus-RZA to Wu-minus-RZA-behind-the-boards-but-not-on-the-mic, only to shift again when Method Man showed interest in throwing RZA a couple production bones but still relying primarily on outside input beat-wise. Just like beefing with the RZA, tossing half-baked ideas about side projects to the media is a regular Clan occurrence, but it looks like things have finally been fleshed out for good thanks to indiedom’s favorite Killa Bee, Ghostface Killah. What began as Shaolin vs. The Wu-Tang is now an as-yet untitled collaboration between Ghostface, Raekwon, and Method Man. Ghostface says that each MC will contribute four “phat and tight” tunes with an expected release around the end of this year or the beginning of next.
But there is much Wu to enjoy before then. Ghost’s next LP, The Wizard of Poetry, is expected to drop sometime later this year, and after years of waiting, Raekwon’s hugely anticipated Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II is finally slated for release on September 8. Sure, the sequel to Rae’s classic 1995 record has been delayed time and time again, but let’s do our best to believe in him this time around. And hey, at least he isn’t shooting fans at random with a pellet gun like certain M-E-T-H-O-D man. While no further details of the incident, which occurred last fall, are available at this time, it’s still a weird enough story to at least mention. I guess with ODB gone, Wu-Tang has to split all the crazy bullshit between the eight of them.
Smashing Pumpkins Select New Drummer Due to “X-Factor,” New Drummer Hopes Billy Corgan Is As Nice as The A&R Men Say He Is
By Kid Midnight on Aug 19 2009
After a grueling selection process, The Smashing Pumpkins (a.k.a. Bill Corgan) has finally found a new drummer to undermine, harass, and ultimately fire. Corgan, who artistically peaked in the mid 1990s and who is humorously peaking right now, began an open audition program in March. After wading through the overwhelming amount of 1,000 entries, Corgan finally selected 19-year-old Mike Byrne.
A statement from Corgan, posted on the band’s website, explains the reasons for why the relatively unknown drummer was chosen:
We counted over 1,000 submissions, and what made Mike stand out was he just seemed to have that 'X Factor' that all the great drummers have, a stunning blend of power, speed, and grace. I'm excited to work with him moving forward -- he truly deserves this opportunity. I believe in my heart he will push me to be a better musician.
Byrne will make his live debut at a series of Billy Corgan solo club shows on the following dates. God help him
08.26.09 - Visalia, CA – Tazzaria
08.27.09 - Santa Barbara, CA – Muddy Waters
08.28.09 - Long Beach, CA – Open
08.29.09 - Pioneertown, CA – Pappy & Harriet’s Place
08.30.09 - San Diego, CA – Che Café
08.31.09 - Los Angeles, CA – Hotel Cafe
MySpace to Buy iLike for $20 Million Dollars, Still Can’t Stop Skeezy Spam
By Kat Gardiner on Aug 19 2009
In a move that's likely to solidify MySpace's lead in the online music community, the online social network will be acquiring iLike for around $20 million dollars, sources say. Facebook, MySpace's less lecherous but creepier younger sibling, is likely to have some air let out of its sails, as it has now officially lost its music baby.
iLike hosts nearly 10 million Facebook users each month and, along with Last.fm, was MySpace Music's biggest competitor.
