Indie label Happy Birthday to Me Records is celebrating their recent move to Athens, GA by holding a 4-day music festival. Athens Popfest 2004 will run from August 4-7 and feature tons of relatively small and unknown bands. Their website is not up yet, but look here in the near future for more details and directions. Check out the bands...
That's right. The Who, or rather the two surviving members of the group, have issued a compilation of classic singles from the legendary band including the first new songs released by the group in 20 years. Roger Daltrey and Pete Townsend collaborated on two songs. One is reportedly a tribute to late bassist John Entwistle's love of claret (yes the wine). When speaking to the Times, Daltrey asked, "Why can't rock music be about growing old?" Next up, a ballad about Geritol.
Portland-based band The Decemberists are heading out on a tour later this month that have them playing the entire month of June. If you live on the East Coast, chances are they'll be coming pretty close to you. Check out the dates...
Mick Jagger and the Eurhythmics' Dave Stewart have collaborated on three new songs and the theme music for an upcoming remake (produced and directed by Charles Shyer) of the 1966 film Alfie. At Abbey Road Studio 2, the dudes will record "Old Habits Die Hard," "Blind Leading the Blind" and "Let's Make It Up" for the film, which stars Jude Law (the Michael Caine role). Susan Sarandon, and Marisa Tomei.
Attention David Bowie fans: The Thin White Duke is planning to release a DVD culled from his current Reality Tour by year's end, and his 60's recordings for Decca are to be the basis for a new children's sing-along book, Musical Storyland, by illustrator Jamilla Naji.
Morrissey is a busy bee. SPIN magazine's latest cover boy is releasing an album as well as releasing two films, Hulmerist and The Malady Lingers On, on DVD in late May.
FYI White Stripes and Loretta Lynn fans: Lynn and Jack White (he produced and duetted with her on her latest album) will perform Lynn's "Portland, Oregon" on The Late Show With David Letterman on May 3rd.
Billy Corgan, John Cale, Giant Sand, Ian Hunter, the Jayhawks, the Flatlanders, Vic Chesnutt and the Cowboy Junkies have contributed songs to Por Vida, an Alejandro Escovedo tribute album. It's purpose? To raise money for the musician's mounting medical bills (hepatitis C) and to help raise public awareness of the disease.
The often covered Bob Dylan gets a cover album with covers by Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. It's called Dylan Country, and it's due May 18th.
Hey Sonic Youth fans! Your favorite band will release Corporate Ghost, its first DVD, in June!
Before there was Tenacious D, there was Styx, and now the 80's band will record a version of "Blue Collar Man" at the legendary Chess Studios to benefit the Willie Dixon Blues Heaven Foundation. They are also on tour, and I am planning to see them.
Once apon a time, there was a band called Pigmy Love Circus, and they spilt up. Then they regrouped, as drummer Danny Carey hadn't been around (he's in Tool now). Then they recorded an album, and its called The Power of Beef, the band's first in a decade. Track names include "Livin' Like Shit," "Bone Orchard," "Headless Horseman" and "12 Gauge Kiss." Read more about it here.
With the success of the Rock Against Bush compilation (due a lot to controversy), MTV.com reports that Volume 2 is on its way, which will include more mainstream acts such as No Doubt, the Foo Fighters, Green Day, Bad Religion, the Used, Yellowcard and Flogging Molly.
The official word on the new album from Omaha's The Faint is that it has a street date of September 14 and it will be called Wet From Birth.
The Blood Brothers are currently in the studio recording the follow up to the splendid Burn Island Piano, Burn. They have currently been writing a song a day and will record them with producer John Goodmanson, whose resume includes Sleater Kinney and Blonde Redhead. No release date is set, but give them some time. This is the first time they will be playing songs live before recording them. Currently, they are touring the UK with the Liars.
As we told you, the Catheters were recording a new album due soon. On May 18, you can get Howling...It Grows and Grows!! via Sub Pop. The album was produced by the aformentioned John Goodmanson.
The Raveonettes are heading back into the studio this summer to record the follow-up to the supremely awesome Chain Gang of Love which should be ready in your hands in early 2005. The duo have already written about 40 songs. According to Sune Rose Wagner, these songs are more "serious" than their previous work are "better than the Strokes". Jealous much? You can read more here.
Up At The Lake, the latest release from The Charlatans came out May 17th in the UK, but the rest of us can stream the album in its entirety on their website. You can check out the video for the single "Up At The Lake" there too.
Trans Am is out on the road in the middle of a serious tour supporting their latest disc, Liberation. Check out their tour dates below. Looks like they're planning to convert the world! Right on, man.
Expect to hear alot of news items similar to this one as the roster cuts become clearer regarding the Dreamworks / Interscope merger. Deadsy has been dropped from the roster and are likely considered free agents at the moment. Apparently this isn't so bad afterall as the band had been trying to leave the label for awhile.
