A source very close to Muse has confirmed the band is looking to release their latest disc in September. No word on a title or what it will sound like, but in November bassist Chris Wolstenholme told fans, via the bands website; "It is more important for us to make the best album we have made to date." Really looking forward to this one.
In related news, Green Day has confirmed that May will be when they release their latest album. The record entitled 21st Century Breakdown, will be the follow up to the bands 2004 mega successful American Idiot. The epic, 21st Century Breakdown will feature three acts, the acts entitled ''Heroes And Cons'', ''Charlatans And Saints'' and ''Horseshoes And Hand grenades.''
In early April, The Hold Steady will release their first ever live album and DVD. The combo entitled Positive Rage, features behind the scenes footage of the band's first tour in England as well as footage of the band going back to their roots in Minneapolis. The documentary was shot while the band was on the road supporting 2006's Boys and Girls in America. The live album portion is from a concert fall 2007 concert in Chicago. Take a look at the cover below:
Personally Oasis never disappoint. Ever. The band's latest video has been caching a ton of buzz from critics and fans with some calling it the band's best. The video for "Falling Down," off the band's acclaimed Dig Out Your Soul, depicts a young austere and dignified woman going on drug binges, sleeping around and only to find out she is sister of Prince's William and Harry (fictitiously of course). The WIZ directed video, even has Kanye West saying "Sometimes I see videos and it breaks my heart that there are so few outlets for vids these days..." Take a look at the beautifully crafted video above.
With a line up of performers to die for the 51st Grammy awards took place last night in LA. A interesting evening to say the least, full of emotional highs and sound quality lows. Maybe its the power of live music, it should not be projected through a TV no matter how powerful your set up is. However, is it me or did most of the performers sound drowned out? Coldplay and U2, two of my all time favorite bands looked bored on stage and sounded awful. Yet, with a few sound mishaps, came a few memorable moments.
From Jennifer Hudson's emotional acceptance speech and performance to Paul McCartney and Dave Grohl paying tribute to The Beatles performing on Ed Sullivan, to the Hip-Hop summit featuring Jay-Z, TI, Kanye, Lil Wayne and a very pregnant MIA, it was a packed night. In some cases it was not even winners, nominees, performers that stole the show and gave surprises; SoCal pop-punkers Blink 182 announced they are back together! According to reports after the ceremony, the band is planning a full tour this summer.
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss landed five awards including Album of the Year, Coldplay took home three including Best Rock Album, Adele was named Best New Artist. Not televised were the trophy winnings of Kings of Leon, Metallica, Duffy, Radiohead and Daft Punk. Aside from the performances, a few awards were given out. I wished we saw more people actually win, but congratulations to all of the winners. For a full list of winners Click HERE
With all of this the true highlight and headliner of the night was the most anticipated performance of the evening. In their first live US televised performance in nine years, Radiohead along with the USC Trojan marching band blew the roof off the joint with a fantastic version of "15 Step." Easily the best performance of the entire night! Check out the video below:
The hippiest of Brooklyn rockers TV on the Radio rocked 30 Rockefeller Center on Saturday Night Live this weekend with "Golden Age." Check out the clip above!
For many bands being around for just a little over a decade may not qualify you as legend, yet for New Jersey post-hardcore heroes, Thursday, that is indeed what they are. A band that has broken every boundary and risked it all in a thankless genre only to come out on top. From intensely memorable live shows, full of fun and scary moments to heartfelt and painful songs, Thursday knows how to keep a fans attention. Passion, curiosity and society are what drive these six men to do what they do. That formula has lead to success but rocky roads as well. With famously going in and out of record labels, non stop touring, the band always knows what is important to them; the music and the fans. As the band readies their fifth album, Common Existence, due it stores the 17. I had the privilege and honor to speak to guitarist Steve Pedulla to discuss the bands longevity, latest record, and influences. Take a look at my interview below.
1) What can you tell us about the new album?We recorded the new album up at Tarbox Studios with Dave Fridmann and it comes out on 2-17-09. We’re really proud of the record and excited for everyone to hear it.
2) How does Common Existence differ from previous Thursday records?
Every time we make a new Thursday record we’re always trying to progress and bring the songs some place new. Common Existence was no different in that regard. However we realized that along the way there were certain aspects to our songwriting that we had abandoned. On this record we revisited some of those ideas and tried to re-invent them.
3) Thursday has seemed to have had homes at so many different record labels. By jumping around from label to label does it take a toll on you as artists, and style and sound?
I don’t know that it really affected our style and sound all that much, but the moving process can definitely be frustrating. When you are busy trying to find a new home it takes time and energy away from really being able to concentrate on the songs.
4) How is the new home at Epitaph?
Epitaph has been awesome. Everyone there seems to be on the same page as us. We’ve always respected them as a label and we’re excited to be working with them now.
5) You recently did a split with Envy. Tell us how the idea came about to work and release a split with a heavy Japanese band.
Well we’ve all been fans of Envy for a while now. I’m not sure of the specifics of how it all came together to be honest. I just remember Geoff mentioning the idea and we were so excited that we forgot to ask about the details. I think Geoff met Jeremy from Temporary Residence at a show in New York and they started kicking around the idea. All I know is that we were honored that both Temporary Residence and Envy wanted to work with us. Like I said we’ve been fans for a while.
6) Thursday have never held anything back about society, politics and action. This past year saw a tremendous change in America, has the new change in America changed Thursday?
Wow that’s a tricky question. I guess it depends on what changes you are referring too. Some of the changes seem very promising and some of them are very disappointing. But it seems like that’s always the case. We’ve always been a band that believes in hope and compassion, but we’ve also always been aware and outspoken about the things that stand in the way of compassion. We still believe in a lot of the same things so in that regard we haven’t changed but we’re constantly influenced by what is happening around us. But I think that’s the case for everyone whether they realize it or not.
7) Common Existence was produced by David Fridmann (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, MGMT), someone who generally works with lighter sounding and more experimental artists. What was it like working with him? What was it like being the heaviest sounding band he has worked with?
Working with Dave is great. He creates a great environment to work in. While we are all stressing out wondering if we are making the right choices he is the guy that is calming us down. I’m not sure being a “heavier band” than he usually works with really changed much about his process. But then again I don’t really have another experience to compare it too.
8) One thing that has made Thursday a legendary band is the intense live shows you put on. What is your favorite song to play live?
Playing new songs live is always the most fun for me. Lately I have been having fun playing Resuscitation of a Dead Man and As He Climbed the Dark Mountain. But I’m looking forward to playing more new stuff on our upcoming tours.
9) What is your favorite on stage moment?
I guess it would have to be anytime we are on stage and really feel a connection with the crowd. I just love playing live so its hard to pinpoint it to anything more specific than that.
10) Is there anyone you would love to tour with? Past or Present.
It would have been fun to tour with Fugazi or Quicksand, or Sunny Day Real Estate, or Jawbox or... I really could go on forever with that question!
11) Many bands from the Post-Hardcore era have fizzled out, yet you guys keep going. What is your staying power?
We just keep making the music we want to make. We don’t really have control over much outside of that. So I really don’t know.
Special thanks to Steve for the interview! Common Existence out Feb 17!!!
Above: Thursday with Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance performing "Jet Black New Year" live at Hellfest 2003. / Below: Banned from MTV version of "War All the Time"
While another fellow New Jersey native rocked the Superbowl this weekend, Springsteen protegees the Gaslight Anthem blew the roof off the Ed Sullivan Theater with a rousing performance of "The 59 Sound."
This time last year fellow bloggers, like myself, were all up in arms for a little band called MGMT. Now, I feel the music bloggers of the world have found a new psychedelic / funk / electro rock band to geek out about, Nottingham, UK's Late of the Pier. The bands blend of cleaver lyrics, and goofy beats will have you moving for hours on end. Think Does it Offend You, Yeah? meets MGMT meets the Klaxons with 80's synth. The band's debut Fantasy Black Channel was finally released in the US last month after being out in the UK and Europe since the summer. I suggest it is one of the first records you buy this year, I promise it is one that will not disappoint and one that you will really enjoy listening to! With electronica getting bigger and bigger each year, I think this is one band that will be at the front of the pack.
Now I know it is February and I am aware of a certain Hallmark holiday going on the 14th of the month. However, I could not resist discuss what I believe to be one of the sexiest films of the modern era. 1998's update of Charles Dickens classicGreat Expectations, is one thrilling film going experience. Directed by Latin director Alfanso Cuaron (Y Tu Mama Tambien, Children of Men), this visually stunning and provocative look at a classic tale is a brilliant and tasteful update. With an all star cast featuring Ethan Hawke, Robert DeNiro, Anne Bancroft, Chris Cooper, Hank Azaria and in her most desirable performance to date, Gwyneth Paltrow. The film is about a young Florida artist named Finn (Hawke) who as a boy helped save the life of an escaped convict (DeNiro), while in the meantime befriends an old money widow (Bancroft), Finn later falls in love with the widows granddaughter (Paltrow). As his love for the granddaughter grows as they age, she up and leaves him to travel the world. Their lives intersect accidentally in New York City as Finn is commissioned from an unknown financier to show his work in gallery. Backed by one of the greatest film soundtracks ever, featuring rare songs from Pulp, Mono, Tori Amos, Chris Cornell, Scott Wieland and Iggy Pop. This is certainly one to see, enjoy and indulge.
Every band at one point or many in their career will reach a turning point. For the legendary California music hybrid that is Red Hot Chili Peppers, one of the many turning points of the troubled band would come at the end of 80's. The band whose original lineup included singer Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea, guitarist Hillel Slovak and drummer Jack Irons hit a cross roads after the overdoes and passing of Slovak. Kiedis and Flea were forced to bury their best friend, while Jack Irons left to join a band called Mookie Blaylock, which would later become Pearl Jam. With half the band gone, Kiedis and Flea regrouped, and re energized with drummer Chad Smith and guitarist John Fruscante. The lineup of the Chili Peppers the general public would be more familiar with in later years and the lineup that would pull them from the California sun and into the global musical universe. With the new Chili Peppers in tact, the group got together with producer Michael Beinhorn to create one of the funkiest and free form records of the 80's. Mother's Milk was released in 1989, it would receive very mixed critical praise, while it would be the bands more successful record to date. Scoring a few hits with a cover of Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground," and the single "Knock me Down." The record would later become certified Gold, but for the Chili Peppers it was a big stepping stone to fame. Mother's Milk would later be forgotten in the mix of RHCP albums, as its successor Blood Sugar Sex Magik would go on to make the band instant legends.
