2003

Ween is developing a computer software application dubbed “WeenAmp” that will allow fans one-click access to the band’s online radio station, official Web site, message board and chat rooms, and its own peer-to-peer service for trading live concerts. The group hopes to make the software available on copies of its upcoming Sanctuary album, “Quebec” or its Web site. “Quebec” will now arrive Aug. 5, two weeks later than its original July 22 date.
The band says “WeenAmp” will allow users to view cybercasts of concerts from Ween’s upcoming tour, including one “all-request” show where fans can vote for songs in advance. The trek begins July 24 in Pittsburgh and will likely encompass four separate legs of three-to-four weeks in North America, followed by international shows. Dates are expected to be announced shortly.
Source Billboard.com .

Pink Floyd singer-guitarist David Gilmour and Sting were honored by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II in her annual birthday honors list. Gilmour and Sting were both given CBE, Commander Of The British Empire, awards, an honorary title that ranks just below knight.
Also named on the list were Procol Harum leader Gary Brooker and Gerry & The Pacemakers leader Gerry Marsden, both of whom received MBE, Member Of The Order Of The British Empire, honors.
The annual Queen’s Birthday honors list recognizes people for their charitable works, as well as for their impact in their respective fields.
Source yahoo.com.

David Bowie will tour in Europe this fall, and has confirmed dates there through the end of November. The tour will likely head to the States for December and January before moving on to Japan and Australia.
A new album is expected this fall but still without a title or definite release date.
Source RollingStone.com.

Radiohead will release a new DVD titled 7 Television Commercials in Canada on August 5. The DVD is a compilation of videos filmed through 1997’s OK Computer, said bassist Colin Greenwood. It features “Paranoid Android,” “Fake Plastic Trees,” and “Karma Police,” among other clips.
The DVD will only be released in Canada
Source yahoo.com.

Zwan has canceled its entire world tour, due to what the band termed “family reasons” on its official website, zwan.com. The canceled tour was to start in Imola, Italy on June 15, and end at the famed Fuji Festival in Japan on January 25. Glastonbury, T In The Park, and the Witnness Festival were among the European festivals Zwan will miss.
The band is touring in support of its debut album, Mary Star Of The Sea, and it features former Smashing Pumpkins members Billy Corgan on guitar and vocals and Jimmy Chamberlin on drums. Also in the band are ex-Tortoise guitarist David Pajo, ex-Chavez guitarist Mark Sweeney, and former A Perfect Circle bassist Paz Lenchantin.
Source yahoo.com.

After months of anticipation, the first full day of the quickly becoming legendary festival treated fans to over 20 acts spawning equally as many styles. After a hot, late night Thursday kickoff set by Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, the band took the stage just hours later to get things going for Friday. The day was filled with highlights including Lucinda Williams inviting Emmylou Harris to sit in on

Piano Man/rocker Ben Folds will be releasing his next three offerings on vinyl. The records — three EPs — will be available in CD form at Folds’ shows. Fans will also be able to order to order them through various websites. In an article in the Hartford Advocate – Folds, mentions how tired he is becoming of record industry practices of releasing albums and the sticky promotion involved, and instead plans to circumnavigate the system.
Folds has spent the last five weeks writing and recording a batch of new songs, to be released between now and the end of the year as the three aforementioned EPs. The first, tentatively titled Speed Graphic, is scheduled for release at the end of July.
Folds will be touring later this summer with fellow piano prodigy Tori Amos in a tour rightfully titled – Lottapianos.

The full lineup for the Austin City Limits festival has been announced, and is possibly the most musically diverse festival this summer. To be held over Sept. 19-2, the festival will include: Dwight Yoakam, Yo La Tengo, Steve Winwood, Bela Fleck, Shawn Colvin, Steve Earle, Robert Earl Keen, Jay Farrar, Asleep At The Wheel, Hank Williams III, the Dandy Warhols, the North Mississippi All Stars, Howie Day, Cody ChesnuTT, Spearhead, Jason Mraz, Yonder Mountain String Band, Donovan, Charlie Robison, Doyle Bramhall, and Keller Williams.
The eclectic event will also welcome R.E.M., Al Green, Lucinda Williams, Rosanne Cash, Mavis Staples, the Mavericks, Liz Phair, Ben Harper, Polyphonic Spree, Jack Johnson, String Cheese Incident, Patty Griffin, Alejandro Escovedo, Leftover Salmon, Kings Of Leon, Topaz, the Derailers, Richard Buckner, the Gourds, Robert Randolph, Ween, G. Love & Special Sauce, Spoon, Galactic, O.A.R., Gomez, Doyle Bramhall, Ian Moore, Beth Orton, Beta Band, Old 97’s, Abra Moore, Ben Kweller, and the Shins.
Source ACLfestival.com.

The 2003 edition of the Sprite Liquid Mix tour will offer fans in 20 cities an affordable chance to see a late summer festival lineup including N*E*R*D and the Roots. Tickets to the tour, scheduled to kick off Aug. 14 in Denver and run through Sept. 14 in Boston, will cost only $10. O.A.R., Talib Kweli, Robert Randolph & the Family Band are also on the bill.
The event will boast two stages, the second of which will feature national and local bands to be announced. Other elements include the PlayStation2 Urban Playground, where BMX bikers will put on a show, an NBA Rhythm N Rims basketball court on which concertgoers can compete, and the Blockbuster video gaming lounge, where ticket holders can try out PlayStation game systems and new software. The Pinnacle “Work It” Performance Zone will feature audience members engaging in strength and endurance contests, while Scion Sessions will feature graffiti artists and local DJ talent.
Last year’s Sprite Liquid Mix tour featured Jay-Z, 311, N*E*R*D, Nappy Roots, and Hoobastank, with $20 ticket prices.
Source and tour dates visit Billboard.com.

The Sex Pistols are ready to bring their anarchy back to the U.S.A., but don’t expect to hear any new material this summer . . . or ever. According to John Lydon, a.k.a. Johnny Rotten, the band will never write or record another original song. “The reason I do the Pistols is that’s where I started and that makes things clear how I have not changed,” said the forty-seven-year-old singer. “In any kind of different music I go into, the spirit is the same . . . but you will not get me doing new Pistols.”
The Sex Pistols’ original lineup — Lydon (vocals), Steve Jones (guitar), Paul Cook (drums) and Glen Matlock (bass); Sid Vicious replaced Matlock in 1977 — have confirmed two North American shows, August 21st at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, New York, and August 25th at Toronto’s Molson Amphitheater. More dates will be announced in the coming weeks.
Sourcerollingstone.com.