Bassist Noel Redding died yesterday at the age of 57. He was most known for his role in the rhythm section of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, which he was inducted into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame for back in 1992. And, he also could pick his afro bigger and higher than Jimi's, but that's another thing completely. It's always sad when the world loses a good bass player. Head over to rollingstone.com to read more about Redding's musical life.
"Controversial hip-hop innovator" Sage Francis has signed a 3-album deal with Epitaph. Yeah, Epitaph is punk label, but the decision was made to broaden the label's scope or something. Expect the label debut and follow-up to 2002's Personal Journals to hit sometime in early 2004. In other news, Sage will release Hope, an album from his side project Non-Prophets, in coming months on Lex Records.
Ok, yeah, that title was pretty bad. Sorry. Anyways, as reported, Vue are headed out on tour! So, here are the dates...
Tennessee natives Kings Of Leon have lined up several more show dates in August to support their major label debut LP, Youth and Young Manhood, due out July 22nd on RCA. Currently the "country-punk, family band" are still on the road in support of their recently released Holy Roller Novocaine EP. You really should you read our review.
Celebrity have posted two new tracks, from their upcoming new album Lovesick, over at MP3.com. The album hits stores next Tuesday, May 20th through Doghouse Records.
Collaborators extraordinaire The Postal Service have a video up on their site of their appearance of KCRW's "Morning Becomes Eclectic." You can check it out here. Arm yourself with Real Player.
You can check out the full-length video for the Nada Surf song "Inside of Love" over at mtv.com, or just wait till you see it on M2, as it has been added to their rotation.
The Vines have released a limited edition 4-CD set for their latest single, "Homesick." Each of the four discs features artwork from a different band member, as well as exclusive b-sides. You can order them from thevines.com, or pick them up next time you are in Oz.
Placebo's return to North American soil has been confirmed. The band will be here spending the first half of July on a tour of the US, Canada and Mexico. Here are the dates...
Alien Ant Farm are done recording the new tracks for their yet untitled album. They will start mixing later this month so expect finished copies next month.
Jay Clifford, frontman for the group Jump, Little Children, is heading out on his first ever solo tour. Show goers can expect to hear songs from the JLC catalog as well as from this jazz side project Rosebud. If you'd like to promote for the shows, head over to this website. And, here are the dates...
Division Of Laura Lee are set to release 97-99 on June 16th via Lovitt Records (visit Lovitt's site for a free MP3). The CD consists of "old songs written & recorded between the years 1997-1999," which will be mastered and repackaged. DOLL describe the older material as "reminiscent of the DC post-punk sound with a dash of Drive Like Jehu!"
Man-whose-ads-are-all-over-magazines Pete Yorn will cover the Albert Hammond hit "It Never Rains in Southern California" for the upcoming Farrelly brothers comedy Stuck on You. More on that soundtrack as we learn.
Even though System of a Down is on a break, guitarist Daron Malakian and bassist Shavo Odadjian have been in the studio, putting together ideas for songs. "It's going to be pretty revolutionary," Odadjian told MTV. "We're taking everything we've done and canning it. We're starting fresh as a brand new band. So you're going to hear this new music. It's going to be System, but it's going to be a new tip. We did what we did, and at first people were like, 'They're doing something no one's done.' Now we're going to do something else that will get the same kind of reaction." Look forward to it, I do.
Remember that Tenacious D movie we told you about? It's title is currently "Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny." Liam Lynch (duh) told NME.com that the plot of the movie "follows the stages the D had to go through, as well as one of their first character-building quests, to help prepare them to be the greatest band in the world." The script is now 50% complete with shooting likely to start before the end of the year. Tenacious D are also putting together the film's score, which may eventually become the follow-up to their 2001 record.
Hey Mercedes are currently in Boston recording their follow-up to Everynight Fireworks. Via a weblog, the band are giving constant updates, ranging from details on each vocal take to what's going on during their down time. Click here to check it out.
Thrice have posted the song "Under A Killing Moon," from their forthcoming album The Artist in the Ambulance, on their website. Once you register, you can visit this teaser page to view the album art, lyrics and stream the song. Another track, entitled "All That's Left," is expected to show up in the next couple weeks. In other news, the album release date has now been pushed back one week to July 22nd. Ok.
Slipknot have laid plans to regroup this August finish up work on their third album in time for an early 2004 yet to be finalized release date. Their last album? We wouldn't want them to become the joke that is GWAR, would we? Oh, you thought Slipknot was a joke after the first album? Anyway, Rick Rubin's producing it.
Out on the west coast and hoping to see ...Trail of the Dead? I hear they break stuff sometimes. Check out their tourdates for June and don't forget to pick up their latest, The Secret of Elena's Tomb.
Sony's Legacy label is set to unleash a whole bunch of double disc reissues starting July 29. First up are Muddy Waters' Muddy Mississippi Waters Live, the Byrds' Sweetheart of the Rodeo, "West Side Story" and probably most notably for you the reader is Jeff Buckley's Live at Sin-e. You'll recall that Buckley first released this as four song EP... Now it'll be a double disc collection with a bonus DVD.
