The Giants took one home! How many little bros do you know that have made history? Like Eric Roberts said in The Pope of Greenwich Village, “it’s all in the genes.”
The Pats were a dynasty, eh? Honestly, I feel a little sorry for Seau. I guess it’s back to surfing if he’s still trying to catch the big one! Speaking of one last shot, 2008 looks like it’s continuing the trend of aging dudes trying to cash in. One thing’s for sure, if you thought the influx of “reunited” bands like Dinosaur Jr. and The Stooges were the reckoning, then, you’re in luck today!
On the other side of the pond - Billy Bragg is dropping a new album in April. It features The Faces’ Ian McLagan on the piano/organ and is being produced by Limey shogun, Grant Showbiz - otherwise known as the mysterious producer whose resume includes The Fall, Alternative TV, The Smiths and Gong. Robert Wyatt also contributes vocals on the opening track, so there aren’t any semi-redundant observations on this one. Consider me siked!
After failing to get anyone to care the first time around, the drummer and bassist from The Jam have stopped sacrificing classics on stage and decided to record some new material! Last year, they made an even better decision and scrapped their band name, ‘The Gift’ (named after the final Jam album.) Their new name? From The Jam! I’m not sure who the creative force behind The Jam was [uhhh, Paul Weller], but I’ve got $500 bucks from a Super Bowl pool to ride the sneaking suspicion that it was neither of these two.
Going off the response of The Gift, the Gang of Four have decided to record some new material, too.
“When we first got back together a couple years ago, doing the ‘reunion’ part of touring and all that, we resisted making new material. We had the fear that we weren’t ready, that it had been too long a time for people to care.”
As expected, the gang is making sure that people don’t get it twisted. ‘The cowboy is still befriending the Indian.’
“Rock music has lost its way,” he continues. “People used to be speaking out in the arts in other place [sic], but in the last 15 years, all the artists have become pro-everything. Rock ceded our voice to underground hip-hop, speaking out about social issues and American hegemony, but now even that’s gone.”
I’m guessing these blokes aren’t paying attention to the indie news circuit! Haven’t they heard Bright Eyes, Arcade Fire and everyone else that thrives on the jugular of the music/blog atmosphere is backing Obama? Even Pete Wentz is down! Gang of Four – get your game on track. Indie rockers are out to change the world!
While I’m on the internets, here’s a quote I came across while drunkenly reminiscing teenage fanzines…
From Mike Ness [of Social Distortion] back in Feb ‘97:
“I personally don’t know how to work a computer yet, but I’ve seen results from the Internet from us. It’s been very cool. People can find out about us at any given moment by pushing a few buttons…”
Eleven years later, that still stands true. But, besides the free and easy download factor, has the Internet really leveled the playing field? Sure a lot of old bands are now getting recognition b/c of that previous fact. And a couple new ones, too. Shit, I just cracked a PBR as I got a couple new LPs.
The real question is if the businessmen and music hobbyists are now in sync. Looking at the scope of things, they are! Have you seen one band hit the web without instant gratification from at least ten bloggers?
So, you’re asking, what’s the point? Mike Ness’s vision, as was the vision of many others, unfortunately dropped the ball. DIY has died. The initial fan sites have molded into hype machines that are faster respondents than Rolling Stone and Spin. It’s not a horrible thing, just a sign that technology doesn’t change everything.
New Wave Hippies [1:41m]
Play Now
Before I get too preachy, that issue of Juice also covered Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and the Descendents, so maybe ‘97 was just a good year, you think?
On the stateside path, Bonnaroo has confirmed Pearl Jam and Metallica on their bill. Hmm, Lollapalooza ‘95 sounds sweet, Perry! Rilo Kiley is also on the showcase, which isn’t a surprise, but for some reason I suddenly care! Get ready to put on your semi-boner shorts, ’cause I just found out that the chick in the band is none than the ’80s smart-ass snatch from…
Too bad Fred Savage had dibbs! Speaking of snatch, Benicio Del Toro and William Reid’s side project has officially declared a date for her Tom Waits tribute. Anywhere I Lay My Head features Nick Zinner on guitar and is being produced by that dude from TV on the Radio. It comes out on sometime in April, so mark your whatever calendars.
Billboard has stated Slash is ‘itching’ to start the new Velvet Revolver album. Sweet! I think Bill Hicks had it right when he said musicians were better when they were on drugs. The ’sober’ Scott Weiland is also supposedly reuniting with STP, although I have as much faith in that as the rumor Led Zeppelin is secretly headlining Bonnaroo. I warned you this was old dude night!
If anyone who skims Buddyhead also reads books, you should grab some knowledge with this one. Not only does it have original scribblings from Lester Bangs and Greil Marcus, it’s the fucking story of Greg Shaw. If you’re not stoked on that alone, well…fuck you!
And yeah, Witch’s new album drops March 18th on Tee Pee Records. See, I don’t always go out on a sour note!
