Like everyone else, I’m super busy during the holidays. Running from place to place and trying to accommodate people’s needs, I often want to retreat to a bar and spend my Christmas with strangers. It’s easy to forget the joy that comes with holidays, but I think They Might Be Giants can help.
Month: December 2009 (Page 2 of 10)
Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler is in the news once again. Tyler has checked himself into rehab in order to treat an addiction to prescription drugs and painkillers. On a happier note, he is dedicated to rejoining the band.
Per Rolling Stone:
In an exclusive statement to Rolling Stone, Tyler also addressed his bandmates’ recent allegations that he demanded a two-year break from the group: “I wish to set the record straight and say that I have read reports of a rumored two-year hiatus and want to be clear that this is completely false and I will enthusiastically be writing, recording and performing with Aerosmith as soon as things are handled.”
In November, Whitford told RS he believed Tyler “doesn’t act like a sober person,” adding, “I’m not hanging with the guy, but his history of drug abuse is well documented.” Tyler fell off the stage during a South Dakota show in early August, forcing the band to cancel the remainder of its injury-plagued summer tour. At the time, Tyler told Rolling Stone he resented implications that the accident occurred while he was intoxicated. “The easiest thing in the world is to say he’s drunk or stoned,” he said. After the tour was canceled, word of strife within Aerosmith began to leak out; in early November, Tyler told a reporter he was taking time off to work on “Brand Tyler” and his bandmates responded by announcing they were beginning to search for a replacement singer.
Here’s hoping he takes care of this problem. An Aerosmith without Steven Tyler singing is an Aerosmith fans will abandon.
Given that the Flaming Lips just released a new album (Embryonic) a few months ago, you’d think they’d either be taking it easy or, at best, prepping to tour behind that album. Leave it to them, however, to take a left turn and do something different….like, say, release another new album.
Well, sort of, anyway.
Prepare yourself for the Lips’ take on Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon, which was made available today as an iTunes exclusive. It’s a strange little release (like you’d expect anything less), with some tracks credited to the Lips, some listed as collaborations with Norman, Oklahoma’s pride and joy, Stardeath and White Dwarfs, and a couple credited solely to those guys without the Lips. What’s arguably most interesting about the album, however, is that it also features vocal contributions from Peaches and Henry Rollins.
Rollins? Really…?!?
Yes, really…and I know this because I checked in with him to ask him about it. My questions were simple and so were his answers, but at least it’s straight from the horse’s mouth:
How did you come to team up with the Flaming Lips for this project?
They asked me.
What’s your Pink Floyd background?
Not a fan.
What was your favorite track on the record to tackle?
The general laughing, it was difficult to make it feel real.
If pressed, are there any other albums you’d be interesting in revisiting like that? Not necessarily classic rock, of course…
No. I don’t think about things like that. Seems like too much work when you could be moving forward on something new. You could say that about the Lips, but they have a new album out, so it’s not like they’re sleeping on the job.
True enough, Mr. Rollins. True enough.
After injuring himself in a bus accident, doctors advised Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo to stay home and take it easy. Thus, Weezer had to cancel their winter touring schedule. Prior to the incident, Cuomo had completed the music to a new song, “Shusui.” In his limited capacity, he’s now reaching out to fans to record a better demo. Once Cuomo selects the winner (the fan will receive $208), he can write the lyrics.
Per Rolling Stone:
The recording session can be heard on Indaba Music, where fans can post their own takes and additional instruments on the skeleton song Cuomo posted. Although right now it’s all wah-wah peddle and wordless harmonies, the “Shusui” demo sounds like a potential Weezer ballad similar to “Burnt Jamb” or Raditude’s “Put Me Back Together.”
Cuomo has been all about offbeat collaborations lately, teaming with the All-American Rejects and Lil Wayne on Raditude, Sara Bareilles and Chamillionaire during recent live performances, Taylor Swift and Pete Wentz in commercial shoots and writing songs for Adam Lambert (For Your Entertainment’s “Pick U Up”) and reportedly Katy Perry. And now, potentially, you, if your demo inspires Cuomo to finally pick up the pen and write some lyrics for “Shusui.”
I think $208 is a bit light. Well, if you’re a struggling songwriter who happens to be reading this, give it a shot.
Pavement is really taking this reunion tour seriously. The band will headline Norway’s Øya Festival, which goes down August 10-14 in Olso’s Medieval Park. Joining the reunited indie rockers will be Outkast rapper Big Boi, dancehall stalwarts Major Lazer, and hardcore giants Converge (brief band descriptions are tough, OK). The festival boasts over 200 bands during its five-day run, so there’s something for everyone. Personally, I’d just want to catch my favorite band and look at the beautiful Scandinavian women.
To recap, Pavement has also confirmed dates at festivals such as Primavera, Roskilde, All Tomorrow’s Parties and Sasquatch in 2010. They might just play your friend’s birthday party if you ask nicely.
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