Lightning Bolt Add Japanese Tourdates and ONE U.S. date, Presumably Just to Make My Last Story Obsolete, Waste My Jokes, Rub America’s Nose in It

Hey, remember like a couple weeks ago? A lot was different back then, huh? It was still summer, the world was still reeling with the possibilities of the Pavement reunion... and, of course, we here at TMT dropped the sensational, Pulitzer-worthy news bomb that Rhode Island noise-rock duo Lightning Bolt would be pummeling Australia and New Zealand (still as-yet virgins to their visceral live show assault) with a round of shows in support of their forthcoming Earthly Delights record on Load.

It was a standstill moment, to be sure. Millions were affected by this deftly crafted story and unprecedentedly informative news item. Destinies were altered. Lives previously considered by their errant leaders to be “worthless” suddenly seemed fulfilled and driven. Families torn asunder were reunited by the joyous news and the mellifluously qualitative manner in which the delicate piece’s author described its finer points to them, juicy tidbit by juicy tidbit, like a buttery sirloin steak... made of velvet... draped in U.S. Grade A “Dark Amber” maple syrup... being cooked via the convection of passing sound waves from Claude Debussy’s Greatest Orchestral Hits all being played simultaneously from a number of sleek Bose Wave® combination alarm clock /radio/iPod dock/CD changers in Platinum White arranged in an ideal Platonic circle around God’s immaculate parlor room in his (2nd, larger, and even more private than the first) secluded, Frank Lloyd Wright-designed summer home in Martha’s Vineyard.

And then?

...uh, we um, kinda sorta found out about the Japanese dates that they’re also doing on the tour and one U.S. date, so we had to hurry up and post a new one chop-chop.

(cough)

...and, you know, here it is. Thanks, everybody. Thanks for reading. Thank you.

New and Improved Lightning Bolt Tourdates:
10.29.09 - Providence, RI - Firehouse 13 #
11.05.09 - Tokyo Shibyua, Japan - O-Nest
11.06.09 – Nagoya, Japan - Club Rock’n’Roll
11.07.09 – Kyoto, Japan - Urbanguild
11.08.09 - Yamaguchi Houfu, Japan - Indo-Yo
11.09.09 – Fukuoka, Japan - The Voodoolounge
11.10.09 – Ooita, Japan - Athall
11.11.09 – Okayama, Japan - Pepper Land
11.12.09 – Osaka, Japan - Shangrila
11.13.09 - Tokyo Shibuya, Japan - O-Nest
11.14.09 – Enoshima, Japan - Oppa-La
11.15.09 - Tokyo Shindaita, Japan - Fever
11.16.09 - Tokyo Kouenji, Japan - UFO Club
11.20.09 - Melbourne, Victoria - Thornbury Theatre
11.21.09 - Sydney, New South Wales - Manning Bar
11.22.09 - Brisbane, Queensland - Hi Fi
11.24.09 - Auckland, New Zealand - Transmission Room
11.25.09 - Wellington, New Zealand - San Francisco Bath House
11.26.09 - Hobart, Tasmania - Mona
11.27.09 - Adelaide, South Australia - Fowlers Live
11.28.09 - Melbourne, Victoria - Trades Hall (Static Age Festival)

# benefit show for Dan Tanner with Tinsel Teeth and Beat Mountain

Daniel Johnston Gets His Own iPhone App; Meanwhile, Jandek Gets His Own Signature Backgammon Set

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These days, anyone can have their own iPhone App, including the most unlikely of candidates. Case in point: Daniel Johnston. “Hi, How Are You” is the first ever toon-shaded 3D puzzle platform for both the iPhone and the iPod Touch, and it’s available in the Apple App store right now for $0.99. According to the press release:

The game features dynamic, physics-driven gameplay and is set in a psychedelic universe filled with the art, music, and iconic themes of renowned Johnston. The game begins with Satan turning the innocent Jeremiah into a frog and stealing the object of his affection. To win back his true love’s freedom, Jeremiah must progress through 25+ devilish levels to reverse the curse that Satan has bestowed upon him.

The game can be played by using tilt controls or a virtual on-screen joystick. Over 20 achievements can be unlocked as the game progresses, revealing original artwork from Johnston. “Hi, How Are You” was developed by Dr. Fun Fun and Smashing Studios. Screenshots, a.k.a. the next best thing, can be found here.

Thom Yorke Confirms Warm-Up Show for Tomorrow in LA

The rumors are true! Flea's as-yet unnamed band are playing a warm-up show tomorrow at The Echoplex in Los Angeles. The show is in preparation for the couple gigs already slated for this Sunday and Monday at The Orpheum Theatre, also in LA (TMT News). Flea will be joined by Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich, R.E.M./Beck drummer Joey Waronker, Mauro Refosco, and Thom Yorke, lead singer of Muse/Travis.

From Radiohead's official website:

so listen right

that band thats doesnt really have a name that im working with at the moment??????

have decided to do a warm-up show on Friday Oct 2nd around 9pm at the Echoplex in Los Angeles

Its not that big, it'll be total chaos and its kind of a rehearsal but .. if you are near by..

below is a link to get tickets.

hope you get lucky with it. if not you've got to be a really really really good friend to get in: )

so ain't no point hanging around outside if you're not!
the link should go live at 8.15pm
(i'll believe that when i see it)

all the best

HERE!

The Orchard Prunes the Hedges, Fires 20% of Its Staff

There have been a lot of epic FAILS in the music biz over the last couple of months, hell, in the last couple of years. In summer 2009 alone, Pandora threatened to raise its rates, then like dollar bills in a stripper's undies, Mariah Carey let record excecs slip advertisements in her new CD booklet to make it look "magaziney."

Likewise, this week brings strange and disappointing news (or happy news, depending on how you feel about music piracy).

Digital distribution, marketing, and licensing behemoth The Orchard recently reported major staff cuts, including 20% of their global headcount, many occurring in the physical distribution department (now they know how journalists feel!!). Not only that, but The Orchard's CEO Greg Scholl has announced his resignation, effective in December. In the meantime, Director Danny Stein and GM Brad Navin say they will take over and carefully examine every nut and apple in The Orchard until they find a suitable replacement as CEO. Had enough puns yet? I haven't.

Anyway, The Orchard digitally distributes many of your (and my) favorite bands, many of whom you can find in your very own home, including everything from Black Flag to Chuck Berry, The Dodos to Dr. Dog, and Jerry Lee Lewis to Elton John. But seriously, all corporate arguments aside, that is one outrageously diverse artist roster.

They’re Not Half Bad. They’re All Bad! No Seriously, Former Ghosts (feat. Xiu Xiu, Zola Jesus, and This Song Is a Mess members) to Release a Flower of an Album

The Muppet Show's good-hearted haters Statler and Waldorf review Former Ghosts' latest album "from the balcony." Former Ghosts are Nika Roza (Zola Jesus), Freddy Ruppert (This Song Is a Mess but So Am I), and Jamie Stewart (Xiu Xiu) and their debut record, Fleur, will be released October 20 on Upset the Rhythm.

Statler: "This band is called Former Ghost."

Waldorf: "Yeah, but the only thing about them that won't come back from the dead are their songs!"

Both: (cackle, cackle...)

1. Us and Now

Statler: "This album is off to a fast start."

Waldorf: "Good. Maybe it'll end quicker!"

Both: (cackle, cackle...)

2. Hold On

Statler: "You know, there's nothing like good music."

Waldorf: "Yep, and that was nothing like it!"

Both: (cackle, cackle...)

3. Mother

Statler: "That was catchy."

Waldorf: "So is smallpox!"

Both: (cackle, cackle...)

4. Choices

Statler: "What was that?"

Waldorf: "That was 'Choices,' a medium song."

Statler: "Medium?"

Waldorf: "Well, it certainly wasn't rare and it wasn't well-done!"

Both: (cackle, cackle...)

5. In Earth's Palm

Statler: "Wake up you old fool. You slept through that whole song!"

Waldorf: "Who's a fool? You listened to it!"

6. I Wave

Statler: "This sounds like a runaway hit."

Waldorf: "Yeah, whenever it comes on, you want to run away!"

Both: (cackle, cackle...)

7. Dreams

Statler: "This is the first time I've listened to an amphibious rock band."

Waldorf: "Amphibious?"

Statler: "Yeah, they can be dull on land or on water!"

Both: (cackle, cackle...)

8. Unfolding

Statler: "The question is, 'What is this song about?'"

Waldorf: "No, the question is 'Who cares?'"

Both: (cackle, cackle...)

9. Flowers

Statler: "Good singer."

Waldorf: "Well, so am I!"

Statler: "What?"

Waldorf: "Yeah, do you want to hear me sing?"

Statler: "Only if you sing tenor."

Waldorf: "Tenor?"

Statler: "Yeah, ten-or eleven miles away!"

10. The Bull and the Ram

Statler: "Well, they got one right."

Both: (cackle, cackle...)

11. Hello Again

Statler: "What did you think?"

Waldorf: "Shocking."

Statler: "But was it good?"

Waldorf: "No, that would be really shocking!"

Both: (cackle, cackle...)

12. This Is My Last Goodbye

Statler: "Former Ghosts aren't bad for comedians."

Waldorf: "They're not comedians, they're musicians."

Statler: "I know!"

Both: (cackle, cackle...)

Don't let these two blind-siding old cranks tell you otherwise, the only thing terrible about Former Ghosts is the fact that Roza will not be appearing at the following dates due to scholastic duties. Stewart and Ruppert promise to make up for it large by heckling every single audience with corny one-liners

10.02.09 - Phoenix, AZ - Trunk Space
10.03.09 - Tucson, AZ - Solar Culture
10.05.09 - Austin, TX - Mohawk Inside
10.06.09 - Houston, TX - Orange Show
10.07.09 - Mobile, AL - Alabama Music Box
10.08.09 - Atlanta, GA - Drunken Unicorn
10.09.09 - Durham, NC - Duke Coffeehouse
10.10.09 - Washington, DC - Comet Ping Pong
10.11.09 - Wilkes Barre, PA - Café Metropolis
10.12.09 - Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church Chapel
10.13.09 - New York, NY - Monkey Town
10.14.09 - Boston, MA - Middle East Upstairs
10.15.09 - Montréal, QC - Il Motore
10.16.09 - Toronto, ON - Whippersnapper
10.17.09 - Chicago, IL - Chopin Theatre
10.21.09 - Vancouver, BC - Media Club
10.22.09 - Spokane, WA - Empyrean Coffee House
10.23.09 - Seattle, WA - Vera Project
10.24.09 - Portland, OR - Lewis and Clark
10.27.09 - Merced, CA - The Partisan
10.28.09 - San Francisco, CA - Hemlock
10.27.09 - San Jose, CA - Works Gallery
10.30.09 - San Luis Obispo, CA - Arts Center
10.31.09 - Los Angeles, CA - Synchronicity Space

Rock Poster Art Film Debuts in New York: 37% Chance Lindsay Lohan Will Make an Appearance

In a world without a lot of films about rock show poster artists, one film stands alone. From the mind that brought you certain elements of Beavis and Butthead and Daria (What are these elements? I don’t know. It was on Wikipedia.) comes American Artifact: The Rise of American Rock Poster Art. Director Merle Becker interviews poster artists across the U.S.A., from the original '60s pioneers to the screenprinting stars exhibiting at Flatstock today.

The official premiere takes place October 15 in New York at Anthology Film Archives. Becker will be on hand to answer questions after the film, as will featured poster artists Tara McPherson and Lindsey Kuhn. Coinciding with the premiere will be the American Artifact Rock Poster Art Show, located at The Showroom NYC and running through October 18. Starring Ellen Page as Tara McPherson and Michael Cera as Fillmore promoter Bill Graham.*

* This is not strictly true. Or at all true. It's a documentary.

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