Archive: 2005

Music magazine come-to-life

Former Superdrag frontman, John Davis has found Jesus and like every fresh convert he wants to make sure you know all about it. On first pass through this self-titled album, the only song that stuck out as anything special was

Bone dry and delicately woven; the web that Vic Chesnutt has created throughout his humble career has spawned by a humorous eye, evoking the beauty of the South in wry, often bazaar imagery that is nothing short of genius. Ghetto Bells, an intricate, 11-song tapestry of color and depth, accented by multi-instrumentalist Van Dyke Parks and jazz guitarist Bill Frisell among others.

Touring this winter, Yonder has raised the

Although choppy at times, Best Reason to Buy the Sun is a solid and mind-expanding piece of post-modern art. The funky yet heavy, groovy but hectic delivery shines bright, and with it, a certain appeal that will move feet, bob heads and entertain ears.

Butler is single-handedly jolting the roots-rock genre back from the hollow, complacent wasteland for pretty boys, callow songwriting and fluffy lyrics it

Linford Detweiler and Karin Bergquist, who make up the husband and wife duo of Over the Rhine, have endured their share of heartache. Drunkard’s Prayer, is a back to basics effort, recorded after the band’s mini-break to energize their souls.

The world

Angelique Kidjo, along with her husband, Jean Hebrail, Kidjo penned 13 original songs in a variety of indigenous Caribbean styles, including salsa, calypso, meringue and ska on her latest release – Oyaya! The album was produced by Steve Berlin (Los Lobos, String Cheese Incident) Kidjo sings the numbers in English, French and African languages Yoruba and Fon.

Look for Kidjo performing in select U.S. cities this May, before returning to Europe for more dates abroad. Current confirmed U.S. tour dates include:

Sun May 08 – LebanonNH Lebanon Opera House
Tue May 10 – Philadelphia PA World Caf

Among the efforts to save landmark New York punk venue CBGB is a collection of limited-edition treats from Gotham candy store Chocolate Bar. The confectioner is introducing the $25 CBGBs Punk Rock Box, a 16-piece truffle collection that includes a postage-paid petition to save CBGB, a steel logo keychain and a collection of CBGB stickers.

For the budget-minded yet concerned punk, there are $3 CBGB Retro Bars wrapped in a limited-edition CBGB keepsake package that includes the postage-paid petition. Both items will be available in May, but can be pre-ordered through the store’s Web site or by calling 800-481-2462. All proceeds will benefit the club’s campaign to keep its doors open.

CBGB owner Hilly Kristal is embroiled in a dispute with the non-profit Bowery Residents’ Committee, which owns the club’s East Village building and operates a homeless shelter above it. In addition to back rent, Kristal’s negotiations with the BRC to extend his lease past its August expiration have stalled over the subject of a substantial rent increase.

Source billboard.com.

Oasis, Nine Inch Nails, Slipknot, Weezer and the Black Crowes are among the acts confirmed for Japan’s Summer Sonic festival, to be held Aug. 13-14 in Tokyo and Osaka. Kasabian, the Roots, the Arcade Fire, Teenage Fanclub, TV On The Radio, Ian Brown and Louis XIV will also perform, as will famed U.K. rock act the La’s, which will be making its first live appearance since 1991.

The lineup is rounded out by Yellowcard, Boy, the Departure, Hal, HIM, Little Barrie, the Little Flames, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Mew and Rooster. Tickets are on sale now.

Source billboard.com.

Photos by Mike Jones of Steve Kimock at Higher Ground in South Burlington, VT- 3.6.05

Kings of Leon prove that the garages of Southern America are filled with more than leather skinned young men without pupils, cranking out batches of crystal methamphetamine between frustrating sessions carving out the perfect soap box derby car for his sister

Live at Myrtle Beach offers plenty of the same warm, familiar Southern comfort that keeps Widespread Panic

Citizen Cope is another rising star in the world of men with acoustic guitars. Already, the genre has heroes that include Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson and Ben Harper. And now Cope is making his mark, while attracting sold out club audiences.

Music Midtown, one of the nation

Audioslave have begun lining up a spring North American tour. The supergroup

Oasis will extend its short summer North American run with Jet into a full tour in September and October, with up-and-coming British rock act Kasabian in tow. The only show confirmed at deadline is Sept. 25 at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Houston, Texas; tickets go on sale March 26.

Besides six previously announced summer shows beginning June 17 in Toronto, Oasis and Jet will also play Sept. 12 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, minus Kasabian.

As previously reported, Oasis will release its new album, “Don’t Believe the Truth,” on May 30 internationally via Big Brother and the following day in North America via Epic.

Source billboard.com.

Photos by Mike Wren of the “Matthew Shapiro Think Global Start Local Benefit Concert” held at Revolution Hall in Albany, NY – 2.26.05

The event featured Jerkwater Ruckus, Peter Prince, Lo Faber, Brian Kaplan Band, School Bus Yellow, Dana Monteith, Chris Fisher, Shannon Lynch and others.

Frances the Mute is way too big to fit within the semantic confines of rock and roll, but by forcing it, rock and roll itself is expanded, and thank God for that.