2005

Steely Dan’s February 2003 visit to Marian McPartland’s “Piano Jazz” show on National Public Radio will be released March 15 on CD via Concord Records. The 16-track set finds group principals Walter Becker and Donald Fagen discussing their jazz influences and pre-Steely Dan formative experiences.

Joined by legendary pianist McPartland and backed by its rhythm section of bassist Jay Leonhart and drummer Keith Carlock, Steely Dan also performs such favorites as “Josie,” “Black Friday” and “Chain Lightning.”

In addition, the quintet runs through the Duke Ellington-popularized “Things Ain’t What They Used To Be,” “Mood Indigo” and “Limbo Jazz,” W.C. Handy’s “Hesitation Blues” and Gene DePaul and Don Raye’s “Star Eyes.”

Steely Dan has kept a low profile since the tour in support of its 2003 Reprise album, “Everything Must Go,” which debuted at No. 9 on The Billboard 200. A spokersperson did not respond to requests for comment on the group’s upcoming plans.

As for McPartland, her 85th birthday celebration at New York’s Birdland club in 2003 is being prepped for CD release in April by Concord. The collection features appearances by Regina Carter, Ravi Coltrane and Jason Moran, among others.

Source billboard.com.

Drive-By Trucker Patterson Hood and wife Rebecca celebrated the arrival of a youngin’ in Athens, Georgia. Little Ava Ruth Hood weighed 7 lbs 11 oz when she greeted her proud parents in St. Mary’s Hospital at 11:20pm. Stop by Patterson’s website pattersonhood.com to take a listen to a rough demo of a tribute to Ava Ruth entitled “Granddaddy” that’s slated to appear on Hood’s forthcoming solo release.

While Hood settles into fatherhood watch for rare solo dates from fellow Truckers Mike Cooley and Jason Isbell.

Source: David Eduardo

The Grateful Dead’s Mickey Hart and Particle, a pioneering electronic/jam-rock band, have come together to form HYDRA.

The new group will launch a 14-date tour debuting their innovative sound nationwide, beginning April 7 in Santa Cruz, Calif. and ending on April 24 in Washington, DC. Stops include The Fillmore in San Francisco, Henry Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, and New York’s Roseland Ballroom while wrapping it’s way around the country.

This union marks the first time Hart has joined an existing act to create a new unit. Of the venture he explains, “Hydra is about extreme music. Extreme music for extreme people. I need it!” Equally as excited about the collaboration, the members of Particle describe, “Hydra’s sound is a departure from anything we’ve ever done before. It’s a whole new breed of sonic exploration.” Concertgoers can expect to hear original material such as “Heart Of The Hydra”, “Creature of Comfort” and “The Glow” as well as a sampling of Particle songs, and a dose from Hart’s catalogue, including the possibility of fresh takes on Grateful Dead classics.

Mickey Hart is a Grammy award winner and a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee. His near 40 years with the Dead plus myriad of world music projects have brought a heightened awareness to the role of the drum in global cultures. As half the percussion tandem known as the Rhythm Devils, Mickey transcended the conventions of rock drumming.

Particle has enjoyed a whirlwind career trajectory since forming in 2000. The instrumental quartet’s signature “funktronic” blend has earned them a core audience of adventurous music fans dubbed “Particle People”. Highlight performances include Coachella, Bonnaroo, Burning Man,Austin City Limits Festival, and recent shows in Japan and Europe. Particle was recently hailed as one of pop’s “New Faces” by Rolling Stone and their debut album Launchpad garnered critical praise and was named one of 2004’s Top Ten Records by the Associated Press.

For MP3s log on to hydra-music.com

New York-based rock acts TV On The Radio and Interpol took top honors at last night

Scissor Sisters led the winners at the UK music industry’s Brit Awards, walking off with three prizes. The flamboyant act scored a hat-trick in the international categories, winning the best group, best album and best newcomer awards.

Glasgow group Franz Ferdinand won two prizes, as did Keane and Joss Stone, who was voted best urban act by digital TV viewers.

Scissor Sisters frontwoman Ana Matronic collected the best international album prize from singer Siouxsie Sioux.

She told the audience: “If you told us a year ago we would be getting these awards today we would have called you crazy. You guys made our dream come true.”

Source: bbc

This month, an enterprising group of Perpetual Groove fans will debut their new fan-organized and fan-run charity group, “Antidote.” Antidote is a fellowship of fans inspired by the music of Perpetual Groove and taking aim at providing resource relief – be it shelter, clothing, food, etc. – in communities that support the band and to those unable to provide for themselves.

Perpetual Groove not only served as the muse of the group and their name (Antidote is pulled from the crowd-pleasing title track on the band’s first album with Harmonized Records, “Sweet Oblivious Antidote”) but has also provided their support in organization of their inaugural benefit. On February 25th, 2005 at The Georgia Theatre, Antidote will put their inspiration to action by asking fellow fans and the community of Athens, Georgia to donate non-perishable food items, blankets and coats for The Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, who in turn will distribute locally to those in need.

In Clarke County, the Georgia community housing Athens and The University of Georgia, 26% of all residents live in poverty! Antidote chose The Georgia Theatre to host their inaugural drive in appreciation to the support always shown by the crowd and in recognition of the elevated performances of the Perpetual Groove at the venue. PGroove’s February 25th show at The Georgia Theatre marks a homecoming of sorts for the band as it will be their first show back in Georgia since their sell out performance on New Year’s Eve.

With their Island debut, “Hot Fuss,” having recently passed the 1 million mark in U.S. sales, the Killers plan to keep touring throughout the spring. The Las Vegas-based rock act will begin a fresh round of North American dates April 11 in Phoenix and will remain on the road through May 3 in Denver.

Frontman Brandon Flowers told Billboard.com in December that fans can expect to hear a handful of new songs on the spring dates, including “I Won’t Let You Down,” “Daddy’s Eyes” and “It’s Only Natural.”

The band is in the midst of an international run that encompasses dates in the United Kingdom, Europe and Japan through March 10 in Tokyo. Afterward, it is expected to hunker down for a month of demoing new material with several producers, including Flood (U2, Smashing Pumpkins) and Alan Moulder (My Bloody Valentine, Swervedriver).

“We actually worked with Alan on our record, so we’re familiar with him,” Flowers said. Added drummer Ronnie Vannucci, “That time will be used to get some ideas on tape and tie up the loose ends of the songs that have been written on the road.”

“Hot Fuss” has spawned two No. 3 hits on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks chart, “Mr. Brightside” and “Somebody Told Me.” The latter track is up for best rock song and best rock performance by a duo or group with vocal Grammys, while “Hot Fuss” is nominated for best rock album.

Here are the Killers’ North American tour dates:

April 11: Phoenix (Marquee Theater)
April 12: La Jolla, Calif. (RIMAC Arena)
April 13: Long Beach, Calif. (Vault 350)
April 16-17: Los Angeles (Wiltern Theatre)
April 19: San Francisco (Fillmore)
April 21: Portland, Ore. (Roseland Theatre)
April 22: Vancouver (Vogue Theatre)
April 26: Edmonton, Alberta (Red’s)
April 27: Calgary, Alberta (MacEwan Hall)
April 29: Boise, Idaho (Big Easy Concert House)
May 2: Salt Lake City (Kingsbury Hall)
May 3: Denver (Paramount Theatre)

Source billboard.com.