In Case You Missed It: Primus on Jimmy Kimmel Live

Primus stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live to promote their Oddity Faire Tour as well as to perform Frizzle Fry's "Pudding Time" and Sailing the Seas of Cheese's "Tommy the Cat." Check out the videos after the jump.

Interview: Slug of Atmosphere

Since the mid-90's, Minneapolis has risen to the top of the hip hop underground. One of the biggest acts leading the way has been Atmosphere. With the combination of Ant's creative and ever-evolving production techniques and Slug's emotional narratives of his journeys and abilities to craft compelling stories into rhymes, Atmosphere has continued impress fans and critics with each release. It was with great honor that I was able to speak with Slug about the group's current tour (To All My Friends), their current double EP collection (To All My Friends, Blood Makes the Blade Holy) and their upcoming show in Chicago. If you haven't yet, definitely, pick up the new EP collection and see Atmosphere in a town nearest you. This interview took place on September 23, 2010. Thanks to Clayton at Biz 3 for setting everything up.

John Legend And The Roots Wake Up YouTube Tonight

To celebrate the release of Wake Up!, John Legends and the Roots will performing a special, free concert tonight on YouTube. The concert is directed by Spike Lee and will be featured as part of the Unstaged series sponsored by American Express. The concert begins tonight at 8 p.m. CST/6 p.m. PST on John Legend's VEVO channel. Check out a trailer for the concert after the jump.

In Case You Missed It: Toadies on WGN Midday News

Toadies stopped by Chicago's WGN Midday News to perform "Waterfall" from their recently released album, Feeler, and promote their show tonight at Double Door. Get tickets for the show here and check out their performance after the jump.

Ok Go...Now With Dogs!

In addition to making awesome power pop, Ok Go makes great videos. For their last album, Oh No, their videos included backyard dance routines, camouflaged wallpaper visuals and treadmills. For the quartet's recent album, Of the Blue Colour of the Sky, videos have featured marching bands, Rube Goldberg machines, sped up editing and, in the case of "WTF," items from dollar stores and colorful imagery. The newest video and single for "White Knuckles" features the band performing a nicely choreographed routine with a group of dogs, who undoubtedly steal the show. Check out the video after the jump as it is definitely an amazing video and after that, click here to find out more about the ASPCA and how you can help prevent animal cruelty.

One Hit Wonder Or One Hit Blunder

Today's Subject: "I'm Too Sexy" by Right Said Fred

At some point in the early 90's, the world of pop music became model obsessed. No longer were musicians just dating models or adding them to videos for eye candy, they became the videos. Two George Michael videos ("Freedon '90," "Too Funky") starred models, En Vogue became models ("Free Your Mind") and RuPaul sang about them ("Supermodel"). It was Right Said Fred, however, who made models too sexy for things. They might even be too sexy for inclusion in this feature.

Postcard! (September 2010)

Side A

01. Mesopotamia by Black Light Burns

02. Australia by The Shins

03. Norway by Beach House

04. Impossible Germany by Wilco

05. Barcelona by The Rentals

06. Mexico by Cake

Side B

01. Stranger in Moscow by Michael Jackson

02. Warsaw by Joy Division

03. One Night in Spain... by Human Waste Project

04. Road to Madrid by Seam

05. A Song for Europe by Roxy Music

06. Back in the U.S.A by MC5

Kele/Does It Offend You, Yeah? (Double Door - September 11, 2010)

In a weekend where Chicago is having their first Sónar festival, it only seemed fitting for Double Door to become a psuedo nightclub filled with hot, sweaty men and women dancing and bouncing around to the varied dance rhythms performed on the stage. With rhythms ranging from headliner Kele's retro 80's electro-funk groove to the skittish dance-punk stomp of U.K.'s Does It Offend You, Yeah? and the loud boom of Innerpartysystem, there was more than one reason to dance.

25 Albums of the Last 20 Years

I recently came across a blog called Electronic Cerebrectomy, to which I recommend a viewing, and found a post from July of the blogger's 25 favorite albums over the last 20 years. The list is a very excellent list filled some very interesting choices and, most importantly, a nod to Tenacious D. The post made me think about what I consider my most important 25 albums of the last 20 years and here they are.

Fan Filmed, Radiohead Approved

Somehow, I just made it seem like Radiohead was selling a breakfast cereal. One day in the future, perhaps, but for now, they have a band approved, fan filmed concert available for download/viewing across a variety of different formats. Shot at a performance last year in Prague, Live in Praha features the fan filmed footage from various angles and positions. Radiohead approved the fan collaborator by donating the audio masters of the concert to this production which makes it even more impressive. Click here to get your copy of the performance and check out a few clips after the jump.

Sónar Invades Chicago

Looking for a little bit of visual, aural and cultural stimulation this weekend? Better yet, looking to enjoy these sights and sounds for free. Then, Sónar Chicago (beginning today) is the answer to your weekend dilemma.

Album Rating System

Since the beginning of this blog, one suggestion that has constantly been brought up is that there needs to be rating system of album reviews (and that there should be more album reviews). This is a suggestion that I have agreed with but never got around to implementing. That was the case until now. I thought long and hard about what would truly explain how much an album truly rocks and realized that there is only thing that can truly explain this on a scale from one to five.

Listen To New Albums From Of Montreal And Weezer

New releases from Of Montreal and Weezer are due in stores next week but instead of waiting until then to listen to them, you can hear both albums now. False Priest, the new album from Of Montreal, can be found at NPR. Weezer's Epitaph debut, Hurley, can be heard on the band's Myspace page. Tracklistings for both albums can be found after the jump.

New Tour, New Double EP For Atmosphere

Atmosphere are hitting the road this fall, full band in tow, for the For All My Friends tour featuring labelmates Blueprint, Grieves & Budo and DJ Rare Groove. The 22-city tour begins September 8 in Madison, WI and wraps up in Chicago, IL on October 7. Check it out in a city nearest you as well as meet Atmosphere at one of their five meet and greets. Just in time for the tour, Atmosphere has a brand new, double EP coming out on September 7.  To All My Friends, Blood Makes the Blade Holy: The Atmosphere EPs will be sold digitally through iTunes and Amazon as well as on CD and vinyl through Rhymesayers and on their tour. A tracklist, tour dates and the new track, "Freefallin'," can be found after the jump.

Queen Of The Stone Age's Self-Titled Debut Sees Reissue

Fresh off the reissue of Queens of the Stone Age's stellar sophomore album, Rated R, QOTSA's long out-of-print, self-titled debut will also see a reissue this fall through Rekords Rekords/Ipecac. The album will be reissued with three extra tracks that were originally cut from the album. Queens of the Stone Age will first see a release on November 26 in a 180-gram, double gatefold, colored vinyl edition followed by a CD edition on December 7.

Video Graveyard

Many times I have often wondered what it would have been like if Wendy O. Williams and Gallagher had a child together. Okay, maybe not but if I did, I imagine the child would look something like this video by Art of Noise. Come on, it is a weird little punk girl ordering a bunch of weird older guys in suits to destroy saxophones and pianos with circular saws and sledgehammers. What about this does not scream Plasmatics in suspenders and smashing watermelons. Now, that I think about it, they should have placed a watermelon inside the piano and smashed it.

A September To Remember To Buy Music

This September sees frontmen going solo (Brandon Flowers (The Killers), Sully Erna (Godsmack)), Weezer going independent, several artists' influential albums receiving huge reissues (Miles Davis, David Bowie, Pantera) as well as influential artists releasing live albums (Megadeth, Leonard Cohen). In addition to this, there are also new releases from Jukebox the Ghost, Stone Sour, Linkin Park, Grinderman, Chromeo, Nellie McKay and John Legend & The Roots. There are plenty of choices for your ears this month.

There Are Performers. There Are One Man Bands. Then There's This Guy...

Lewis Floyd Henry. Last week, I came across a post of him covering Wu Tang Clan's "Protect Ya Neck" on Videogum and, needless to say, I was floored. It is one man on guitar, drums and vocals covering Staten Island's finest. Soon after, I found myself checking out his performances of Ol' Dirty Bastard's "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" and Motorhead's "Ace of Spades." In addition to this, he writes and performs his own material. All of this is performed live on street corners. Trust me, you will enjoy his performances and when you do, be a friend or fan of him by clicking on those links and drop him a line.

Melvins Gets Scion A/V Remix Treatment

 

Interview: Richard Patrick of Filter

Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Richard Patrick of Filter to discuss the band's new album, The Trouble with Angels, the greatness of Deftones and the possibility of acting. Thanks to Richard for his time and thanks to Kymm and Alicia at Rocket Science Ventures and Filter's tour manager, Erica, for setting up the interview. This interview took place at 115 Bourbon Street on August 24, 2010.

Stream Jenny and Johnny's I'm Having Fun Now

The debut album from Jenny and Johnny (Jenny Lewis and Johnathan Rice) is set for release next Tuesday but you do not have to wait to hear it. NPR is streaming the album this week. Listen to the stream after the jump as well as its tracklist. Also, check out a list of tour dates to see Jenny and Johnny at a venue near you here.

...And On Guest Vocals, Norah Jones

Almost a year after the excellent release, The Fall, Norah Jones has a compilation of her various collaborations and side projects set for release on November 2 entitled ...Featuring. The 18-track collections features numbers with Foo Fighters, Outkast, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Talib Kweli and many more in addition to tracks from her side projects, The Little Willies and El Madmo, and a cover of Roxy Music's "More Than This." Absent, however, are her collaborations with Peeping Tom ("Sucker") and The Lonely Island ("Dreamgirl"). Both, I am sure, would be too odd or different for this set. Check out the tracklist after the jump.

Rock Band Just Got Real...Really Awesome

I have, on many occasions, wished for songs on the Rock Band forum or discussed with fellow Rock Band obsessed friends about what songs should be on our beloved music game. Not just what songs but what bands as well. Today, came a pretty amazing surprise in the form of a video regarding leaked setlists for the upcoming Rock Band 3. Needless to say, I will be doing more than "sitting crosslegged on the floor" when October 26 comes around. Yeah, I went there.

Jenny and Johnny's Debut Tracklist & Tour Dates

Jenny and Johnny (Jenny Lewis and Johnathan Rice) has a debut album set for release August 31 and a tour commencing soon after. Now, their debut, I'm Having Fun Now, has a tracklist. Also, if you pre-order the album through iTunes, you will receive "The Highs and Lows of Being #1," a bonus track featuring Elvis Costello and the Imposters.

Music Geeks, Free Scion A/V Download, Erykah Badu's Probation & Contests

Spinner made a list of the top 20 music geeks in cinema. The list ranges from the likes of the Gwar-obsessed, record clerk stoner Mark from Empire Records to cult duo of Video Aces' Josh Tager and Ivan Alexeev from one of my favorite films, Tapeheads. Bonus points go to writer Jason Persse for including American Psycho's Patrick Bateman's obsession with Huey Lewis and the News as well as Christian Slater's performance as Happy Harry Hard-on in Pump Up the Volume. The 20 cinematic geeks and their love for music can be found here.

16/30 (August 2010)

16/30 (August 2010)


Side A: 0-11
  1. Ashes to Ashes by David Bowie (1 day old)
  2. True by Spandau Ballet (2 years old)
  3. Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper (3 years old)
  4. Hello by Lionel Richie (3 years old)
  5. Wicked Game by Chris Issak (9 years old)
  6. Bust A Move by Young MC (9 years old)
  7. Poison by Bell Biv DeVoe (9 years old)
  8. Sunless Saturday by Fishbone (11 years old)

Side B: 12-30
  9. Passin' Me By by The Pharcyde (12 years old)
10. Player's Ball (Original Version) by Outkast (13 years old)
11. Sour Times by Portishead (14 years old)
12. We Trying To Stay Alive by Wyclef Jean (18 years old)
13. Someday We'll Know by New Radicals (19 years old)
14. Like A Feather by Nikka Costa (20/21 years old)
15. Lost Cause by Beck (22 years old)
16. Crazy by Gnarls Barkley (26 years old)

Rob Sheffield Shares His Cool With Nerve

Journalist/Author Rob Sheffield shared a little of his pop culture coolness with Nerve in a piece entitled "Improve You Taste With..." In the piece, Sheffield discusses films starring Charles Bronson and Ann-Margaret and LCD Soundsystem's recent album, This is Happening. Best of all, Oran "Juice" Jones' hit single and "One Hit Wonder or One Hit Blunder" entry, "The Rain," is best summed up by Sheffield by saying "They just don't do break-up songs like that anymore."

Deftones' Vocalist Chino Moreno Reflects On White Pony

In the current issue of Alternative Press (AP 266), Deftones vocalist Chino Moreno discusses the band's breakthrough album, White Pony. In the piece, Moreno muses over the album's recording process from the tension between him and guitarist Stephen Carpenter and the band's interest in expanding their sound. Read a excerpt from the interview below as well as check out a link to the full interview after the jump. If you do not own White Pony, do not go any further until you do. It, like the album here, are definitely two great albums from that year as is Glassjaw's Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Silence (also featured in AP 266).

Amazon Deals For Under $6

Looking for new music at very low prices? For less than $6, you can download new albums from LCD Soundsystem, Gorillaz, Spoon, Rodrigo y Gabriela and The Like as well as catalog selections from My Morning Jacket, Radiohead, The Kills and The Black Keys. After the jump, check out a list of some of the albums you can download for under $6 as there are over 1,000 albums you can purchase. At this price, get two or three and enjoy some new music for whatever and wherever the day takes you. This amazing deal runs throughout August.

Free Primus E.P. & Tour Dates

I am not sure how this has slipped through the cracks but Primus has a free, live E.P. for download. The four-track E.P. consists tracks recorded during a June 2010 rehearsal and features the band's current lineup of Les Claypool (bass/vocals), Larry LaLonde (guitar) and Primus/Sausage drummer Jay Lane. In addition to this, Primus are currently on the road. The Oddity Faire Tour began last week and continues tonight in Kansas City, MO with openers from Gogol Bordello and The Dead Kenny G's. Dates and a download for the new EP can be found after the jump.

Janelle Monae Premieres "Cold War" On Pitchfork

Janelle Monae premiered the video for "Cold War" at Pitchfork TV. The video features just her and was recorded in one take. It is definitely worth a viewing as it is a) Janelle Monae and b) a video shot in one take.

Lollapalooza Alternatives

Are you not going to Lollapalooza?  Did you not get a ticket? Perhaps, you want to kill some time for the later acts? Well, fear not as there are a variety of different things going on throughout the city. Here is a small sample of what else you can do this weekend.

Video Scrapbooking With Peggy Sue

I have raved about Peggy Sue's debut, Fossils and Other Phantoms, since its release in June and consider it to be one of the best albums of the year. After wrapping up their recent U.S. tour, the trio recently put together a video scrapbook of them performing a song in a different city and at various places like dressing rooms, on r.v.'s, and in skateparks. Check out the performances for "Long Division Blues" and "Green Grow the Rushes" after the jump.

Omar Rodriguez-Lopez Talks About Relationship Of Command

Former At The Drive-In and current The Mars Volta guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez recently spoke to Alternative Press about ATDI's breakthrough and final album, Relationship of Command. In the current issue (AP 266), Rodriguez-Lopez discusses recording with Ross Robinson, being on Grand Royal and, of course, the demise of the band shortly after the album's release. Read an excerpt from the interview as well as click on the link to the full interview after the jump. Also, if you do not already own Relationship of Command, you should probably buy it, period.

Free Indie Hip Hop Downloads

Free hip hop? Yes and from the likes of Central Services (El-P and Camu Tao of S.A. Smash's 2005 project), Educated Consumers and Psalm One, both whom were reviewed in concert here. Also, up and coming artists Childish Gambino and Mega=Kane. Definitely check them out while they are available and show the artist some support by telling friends about the downloads, leaving them e-mails and definitely coming out to the shows. It is the least you can do for something free and worth your time. The links are available after the jump.

End Your Summer With These August Releases.

Arcade Fire...!!!...Iron Maiden...El-P...Heart? This month is going to rock. Here are a few new releases to help you enjoy the end of your Summer.

One Hit Wonder Or One Hit Blunder

Today's Subject: "Stay" by Shakespears Sister

Some one hit wonders are such due to an amazing hook, musical or lyrical. Some one hit wonders are such because they were just right song at the right time or accidentally played. Finally, some one hit wonders are created due to just being a good, albeit strange, song with a very memorable video. This is one of those cases.

Gorillaz' North American Dates Announced

Last week, Gorillaz announced the European and Australian dates of their Escape to Plastic Beach world tour as well as a couple of North American performances. This week, the entire North American portion of the tour has been fleshed out with stops in Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles, Chicago, Austin and various parts of Canada. In addition to the tour, the band is offering two different V.I.P ticket packages to any party interested in obtaining some exclusive tour items. You can read about that here.

Eyedea & Abilities (Bottom Lounge - July 22, 2010)

A great hip hop show can be measured by two things. One is the artist's ability to captivate and command an audience from something as simple as jumping around to the time honored call-and-response. The second thing goes along with that as it is the energy between performer and audience as both participants feed off each other's. Minneapolis duo Eyedea & Abilities, along with their guests, had the audience moving, jumping and responding to each line from both the stage and on the floor.

Welcome To The World Of The Plastic Beach

Time for some "pretty packages of frosted delights" as Gorillaz are planning a world tour to support the critically acclaimed Plastic Beach. The tour, according to Pitchfork, will have 20 North American dates, two of which have been announced. The tour dates, so far, are listed after the jump and are accompanied by a video announcing the tour with a preview of what you can expect from a Gorillaz concert which is more than something that "tastes like chicken."

A Moment For Big Star Bassist Andy Hummel

Radio City-era lineup: Hummel, Stephens, Chilton

Andy Hummel, original bassist for power pop legends Big Star, passed away yesterday after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 59.

New Klaxons Album & Tour

Klaxons are back with a new album produced by Ross Robinson (Korn, At The Drive-In, The Cure). The new album is called Surfing the Void and will see a stateside release on August 23. I can only imagine the results a collaboration like that would produce. One such, "Echoes," is the first single and video for it which you can see after the jump (via Pitchfork TV). To promote the album, Klaxons are going on a world tour that includes several festivals and a U.S. tour from September to October. Check out the tour dates and the album tracklist after the jump.

New Jenny and Johnny Song

Jenny and Johnny (as in Jenny Lewis and Johnathan Rice) have a debut album, I'm Having Fun Now, set for release on August 31. While you wait for the album, Jenny and Johnny have released a second single. The follow-up to "Scissor Runner" is called "Big Wave." Download it after the jump.

The 12-Step Retirement Plan (July 2010)

Side A: Richie Rich
01. You Think I Ain't Worth A Dollar But I Feel Like A Millionaire by Queens Of The Stone Age
02. Got Your Money by Ol' Dirty Bastard feat. Kelis
03. Money Money Money by Abba
04. The Moneymaker by Rilo Kiley
05. The Man's Dollar by Northern State
06. A Dollar And A Dream by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

Side B: Mr. Drummond
01. I Only Play 4 Money by The Frogs
02. I Got This Money by Childish Gambino
03. $13,000 Is A Lot Of Food! by Skankin' Pickle
04. 20¢ Goodbye by Goldfinger
05. Ten Cent Pistol by The Black Keys
06. $300 by Soul Coughing

The Coathangers Hit The Road, Stream Best Coast's Debut And An Awesome Deal

In support of their remix 7", The Coathangers are going out for a brief July tour of the Midwest and South this month. Be sure to sure to check them out at a location near you and check here for tourdates. Don't forget to pick up the limited edition 7".

Best Coast have amassed quite a buzz for their breezy, beach sounds. The California duo's debut, Crazy For You is set for release on July 27 but you can preview the album here as well as read a interview with singer/guitarist Bethany Cosentino.

Pitchfork Music Festival Streaming!

The Pitchfork Music Festival takes place this weekend (July 16-18). In the case that you will not be in attendance, Pitchfork will be streaming the event this weekend on their site.

Are You Ready?

Tomorrow, Korn releases their ninth studio album, Korn III: Remember Who You Are. In addition to being the band's Roadrunner debut, it also marks the return of producer Ross Robinson, who helmed the band's first two albums (Korn and Life Is Peachy). To celebrate and honor Korn's newest release, let us look at five of the best songs of their impressive career.

Vous Etes Très Belle, Mama, Girls And Whatever This Film Is

Oh, Prince! Without a doubt, you are one of the most charismatic enigmas of the 80's ranking somewhere between the DeLorean and the Lionel Richie bust from the "Hello" video. So when it came time to make a follow-up to the highly successful, Academy Award winning Purple Rain, Prince did what any other filmmaker would do. He made a film filled with drama, romance, comedy and musical numbers that was as bizarre as a boxing kangaroo on rollerblades. Yeah, it is really that confusing and that comical.

Jenny Owen Youngs Records Third Album With Your Help

H & J favorite, Jenny Owen Youngs, is assembling her third album and is calling on her fans to help with its recording. Youngs is working with Kickstarter to allow fans to help finance the recording of her new album. For a small amount of 20,000, which is very small to record an album these days, she will be able to release a brand new set of songs and, even better, there is something in it for you. Much like Public Enemy last year, Youngs is offering some very generous rewards for your donation. A fan could receive anything from an autographed album, demos and a video of her shouting your name to her guitar, a live performance with her and her band in your living room and a pancake dinner.

Having Fun With Jenny and Johnny

Jenny and Johnny, better known as singer/songwriter and Rilo Kiley frontwoman Jenny Lewis and singer/songwriter Johnathan Rice, have set August 31 as the release date for their debut album, I'm Having Fun Now. A track listing has not been released but you can pre-order the album in one of four package options here. In addition to the debut album, the duo will spend all of September and the beginning of October on the road performing with the likes of Belle & Sebastian, Pavement and Superchunk. Download their track, "Scissor Runner," after the jump and check out where they will be playing in an area nearest you.

July...No I Don't. These Are Some Excellent New Releases.

Korn, Big Boi, 7"'s from Black Lips and The Coathangers. July is shaping up to be excellent month to check out new and limited releases from new and old favorites, comedy and reissues.

Eyedea & Abilities Are Back With A New Album And Tour

A few years ago, Rhymesayers duo, Eyedea & Abilities released a stellar sophomore album titled E & A. Since that time, and according to their current bio, the duo has spent the last five years exploring new sounds and building their personal repertoires. These new personal experiences and sounds can be heard on their new album, By The Throat. In addition to their much welcomed return, Eyedea & Abilities will spend July promoting the new release at a venue near you. Check out the tour dates and the video for "Smile" after the jump.

In Case You Missed It: Korn on Jimmy Kimmel Live

Korn stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live last night to perform "Oildale (Leave Me Alone)" and "Let The Guilt Go" from their new album Korn III: Remember Who You Are (in stores July 13). Check out the performances after the jump.

The Sounds of Atlanta With Big Boi, Black Lips, Cee-Lo Green and The Coathangers

I have the faintest clue on what is going on in the water of Atlanta but whatever it is, the summer is hot and I want a drink. A couple of months ago, Janelle Monae released an amazing album (The Archandroid) that should already be in your collection and Adult Swim started a free downloadable singles club. July, however, is far from shabby thanks to new releases from Big Boi and Black Lips. Also, Cee-Lo Green covers Band of Horses and The Coathangers are in a contest of sorts.

Hear Big Boi's Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty

Next Tuesday, Big Boi of Outkast will release his awesomely titled Def Jam debut, Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty. The album features guest appearances from George Clinton, T.I., Joi, Too Short, Janelle Monae and many others. If you are curious to hear the album now, Big Boi's Myspace page is streaming the entire album. As this is being written, I am listening to the album and will say this, there is very little you could be doing at the moment that should prevent you from listening to this album...very little.