Not Enough Love to Go Around: Copyright Laws Prohibit Sublime’s Former Members from Using Band Name
By Rachel B on Nov 5 2009
Well, it looked like the '90s were back and better than ever (depending on how you feel about the '90s) during Cypress Hill's Smoke Out Festival, where former Sublime bassist Eric Wilson and drummer Bud Gaugh played with a new singer, Rome Ramirez, under their former moniker. Although they were "thrilled to reconnect with their fans around the world," the long arm of the law wasn't feeling as mushy.
According to Los Angeles judge Howard Matz, the passing of former Sublime frontman Bradley Nowell means that the Sublime name can't ever be resurrected, no matter how many original band members are still breathing. The Nowell family maintains: "Prior to his untimely passing, both Bud and Eric acknowledged that Brad Nowell was the sole owner of the name Sublime. It was Brad's expressed intention that no one use the name Sublime in any group that did not include him, and Brad even registered the trademark 'Sublime' under his own name." So much for sharing the love.
For now, Sublime's two remaining members fully intend to "take the court's advice and work on a business solution to this issue." Take your time, guys.
By Kid Midnight on Nov 4 2009
Fresh off the release of his newest album in 10 (!!!) years, Grant Hart has now announced that he will be setting off on a U.S. tour in support of Hot Wax (available since October through Con D'or/MVD Audio).
If you know anything about Grant Hart, then you know that Hüsker Dü were (and are) awesome and that they had some legendarily awesome shows during their career. Let me assure you that Grant’s solo shows are just as awesome (okay, not as awesome, but still pretty cool), and I’m sure that this tour will be equally entertaining
11.05.09 - Des Moines, IA - Vaudeville Mews
11.06.09 - Kansas City, MO - Record Bar
11.07.09 - Lawrence, KS - Replay Lounge *
11.08.09 - Denver, CO - Hi-Dive
11.12.09 - Los Angeles, CA - Silver Lake Lounge
11.13.09 - San Francisco, CA - Thee Parkside #
11.15.09 - San Francisco, CA - Hemlock Tavern
11.17.09 - Portland, OR- Dante's
11.18.09 - Seattle, WA - High Dive
12.11.09 - Chicago, IL - Darkroom
12.14.09 - Toronto, ON - Horseshoe Tavern
12.15.09 - Montreal, QC - Sale Rosa
12.16.09 - Cambridge, MA - Middle East
12.17.09 - Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe Live
12.19.09 - New York, NY - 92Y (Tribecca)
12.20.09 - Bordentown, NJ - Record Collector
12.22.09 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop
* The Meat Pupppets
# Dead To Me
Radiohead to be Included in New Peter Gabriel Covers Project; Rivers Cuomo Jealous
By Nobodaddy on Nov 4 2009
As the woozy North African-core, power-folk, trance-hop, whatever-the-fuck ambient outro track of “2009” seamlessly crossfades into the global-glitch, holler-hush, Christian-grind, rock-boom-bap rave-up track that is “2010,” one thing is infinitely clear: no one knows what the fuck music sounds like anymore. Seriously. It’s like a goddamn Jefferson Airplane song up in here. There’s white knights talking backwards through auto-tune boxes, hookah-smoking caterpillars dueting with 10-foot-tall dormice, and Rivers Cuomo's chumming around with Kenny G and Chamillionaire. I’m freaking out, man.
And as if your head still isn’t fed enough, here’s another trip for you: Peter Gabriel (yes, that Peter Gabriel) is getting set to release his first new album in seven years. And su-prize, su-prize, the dang ol’ thing is an “all-star collaborative song swap” containing “orchestral reinterpretations” of classic tracks. And... the tracks feature “no guitars, drums, or world instruments” of any kind... AND, the thing will feature (among a wealth of weird others)... yes, Radiohead.
No release date has been scheduled as of yet, but the album, recorded with producer Bob Ezrin at London’s Air Studios this past July, is said to include Radiohead’s “Street Spirit,” though it seems to be unfortunately unclear who performed on the track. Other tracks slated to ambiguously appear in one form or another in all of their orchestral glory include “Heroes” by David Bowie, “The Book of Love” by Gabriel himself but seemingly featuring The Magnetic Fields (whose cover of the song kicks much more sentimental ass than the original), “Flume” by Bon Iver, “My Body Is A Cage” by The Arcade Fire, “Listening Wind” by Talking Heads, “Waterloo Sunset” by The Kinks, and “Philadelphia” by Neil Young. So, uh, yeah, basically a bunch of songs that are already pretty orchestral. Get ready to weep, I guess.
John Metcalfe, who worked on some orchestral reinterpretations for the record, has shed a little bit of light on the as-of-now pretty confusing subject, alluding to the fact that that artists will “cover each others’ songs” on this monstrosity. “There are some very, very famous singers and bands involved,” Metcalfe said. “It sounds amazing, even though I say it myself. It is literally Peter with an orchestra, sometimes the orchestra is quite large, then there are some more chamber music-style, sparse songs. But the songs are not simply covers, they are quite major reinterpretations of some famous stuff. It’s quite radical and we’re hoping that people really get it and enjoy it.” So... um, HOW are the other artists involved?? Oh well. There’s still hope that this is just a bum trip, I guess.
B-Rakes-ing Up Is Hard to Do: Brit Band in Split Shocka!
By David Nadelle on Nov 4 2009
Top 6 "Famous Last Words" *
6. "Wonderful! Wonderful this death!" -- William Etty, English painter (1787-1849)
5. (To a priest) "Hold your tongue! Your wretched chatter disgusts me!" -- Chrétien Malesherbes, French politician (1721-1794)
4. "Die, my dear doctor? That's the last thing I shall do." -- Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount of Palmerston, English politician (1784-1865)
3. "The executioner is, I believe, very expert... and my neck is very slender." -- Anne Boleyn, wife of Henry VIII (1504-1536)
2. "Why not, why not, why not. Yeah." -- Timothy Leary, American counter-culture guru (1920-1996)
1. "The Rakes have always been very adamant and proud of the fact that we give 100% to every gig we've ever played. If we can't give it everything then we won't do it. That was the rule we set ourselves from day one. After much deliberation we have come to the shared conclusion that we can't give it 100% anymore and regret to announce that The Rakes are calling it a day. We are sorry to let down all the people who were coming to see us on the U.K. & U.S. tours. Writing your own obituary is a surreal thing to do but we want to give particular thanks to our much-loved fans, all the great people we've worked with over the years, our management and loyal record label. We feel privileged to have had the opportunity to write music together and perform around the world. Genuinely, thanks for the good times.... That was one hell of a party! But now, we really must get some sleep." -- The Rakes, British music group (2004-2009)
Alright. I'll admit number 1 is a bit long-winded and out of place on this "famous" list but what it lacks in creativity and pizzazz it makes up for in timeliness and pertinence in this forum. As the above statement claims, British indie, arty, post-punk band The Rakes have split up, cancelling all outstanding, previously-announced tourdates. Although often overshadowed by their impeccably mod sense of dress, the London quartet was a firm favorite on the live circuit since its birth and was adept at capturing, celebrating, and escaping the realities of life in memorable singles like "Strasbourg," "22 Grand Job," and "Work, Work, Work (Pub, Club, Sleep)." The Rakes leave behind a three album legacy -- Capture/Release, Ten New Messages, and Klang (all on V2).
* Why "Top 6"? Why not, why not, why not. Yeah.
Leonard Cohen Biography Coming Soon
By Brom on Nov 4 2009
Leonard Cohen, everyone’s favorite depressive genius, will be releasing a new biography December 1. Hallelujah will be written by Tim Footman, author of Welcome to the Machine: OK Computer And The Death of the Classic Album.
The book tells of Cohen’s “years growing up in Quebec in a middle class Jewish family, through a decade as a budding poet and author -- following the publication of his first collection in 1956.” It goes on to look at his “relocation to NYC and entry into the world of folk and rock [at the age of 37] and his successful career as a singer-songwriter.”
Footman’s work also focuses on Cohen’s new material currently being recorded after a decade of meditating 12 hours a day in a Buddhist monastery. It will be the first biography of the Canadian artist since 1998 and will be published by Chrome Dreams. Just in time, then, to make it onto those all-important Christmas lists!
