Archive: 2011

Back around 1987, ZakkWylde was a baby-faced, long-legged skinny guitar player in New Jersey when Ozzy Osbourne was sniffing around for a new axeman for his solo band.

Nick Cave abruptly announced the end to his Grinderman band after five years, at a festival outside Melbourne.At the end of Grinderman’s set before 12,000 at Meredith Music Festival, Cave yelled out, "That’s it for Grinderman. It’s over. See you in 10 years when we’re older and uglier." Source Pollstar

Brad Gaugh, the drummer of Sublime who served as the percussionist of the newly reconstituted Sublime With Rome, is leaving the band to spend more time with his family. Gaugh announced the departure prior to their performance at the KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas in Los Angeles on Saturday (Dec. 10). "The story is that I’m […]

Dan "Bee" Spears, the longtime bassist in Willie Nelson’s family band, died Thursday (Dec. 8) after falling outside his Nashville home, the legendary country singer announced on Friday. According to Nelson, Spears, who was 62, died from exposure. "We are still in shock," he wrote on his website. Spears spent more that 40 years keeping up […]

Antibalas will release in June its first album since its members took on the role of house band for the musical "Fela!" that is currently touring the country. Daptone Records, the independent label based in Brooklyn, will release the album as the "Fela!" road tour is at the end of its first leg. The musical […]

Radiohead will release a pair of new (yet familiar) songs Dec. 19, according to the fan site Radiohead At Ease.   "The Daily Mail" and "Staircase," both recorded during the sessions from the band’s 2011 album, "King Of Limbs," have both popped up in Radiohead’s set list at live shows this year. "The Daily Mail" was […]

A look at the 23rd Annual Warren Haynes Christmas Jam.

Mike Gordon’s solo band debuted two songs tonight in Northampton.

A rundown of the action at last night’s Christmas Jam Pre-Jam.

Mike Gordon kicked off the second half of his last tour of 2011 last night.

Trey Anastasio enlists members of Mates of State and the National for new LP.

Marc Millman presents a mix of rock tunes to end your week on a high note.

Furthur will play a Spring Tour that includes an eight-night stand at the Beacon.

Listen in Live to Warren Haynes’ Annual Christmas Jam “Pre-Jam” tonight at 6:00PM.

Here’s a look at the initial Summer Camp Music Festival 2012 lineup.

Dawes get in the holiday spirit with a Vince Guaraldi cover.

Aretha Franklin returns to Late Night with Jimmy Fallon tonight.

Bustle In Your Hedgerow announces Bustle Bowl 2012.

Beatles and or John Lennon covers can be horrifying to behold. From the band who plays a song note for note with all the imagination of an accountant, to the performer who absolutely wrecks a classic by making it sound kitschy, the world is littered with songs that have been given something less than the royal treatment. But when placed in the hands of legendary maverick guitarist Bill Frisell, an album full of such John Lennon songs is engaging because the tracks become lyric-less re-imaginings rather than bland retreads or ridiculous send-ups.

Although Divine Providence didn’t run list and list with Fleet Foxes or PJ Harvey for album of the year, its still one of the year’s most entertaining listens with its hard drinking rockabilly rhythms that permeates like spilled beer and cigarette butts  Just following a tour in support of Divine Providence, the always candid and witty McCauley wrote us back some thoughts…