Category Archives: Pop

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DEVO Announce New Studio Album To Debut Fall 2009!!!

10 March, 2009 Brian Mc Leave a comment

I just received word that Akron, OH’s DEVO has announced that they will be working on a studio album for a Fall 2009 release!

Direct from the email I received:

What the iconic new wave, art punk pioneers cautioned us about almost 30 years ago is no longer a humorous theory. It’s pretty much fact–we now live in a devolved world that’s getting wackier each and every day.

The fall of 2009 will bring a new DEVO studio album, their first one since 1990’s Smooth Noodle Maps. It’ll mark their first new music since the strong fan reaction that greeted the 2007 single “Watch Us Work It,” their first new song in 18 years and one that was produced by Sweden’s TeddyBears (Robyn). They’re now in the studio putting the finishing touches on their new album (title TBA).

The five-piece–featuring co-founders and songwriters MARK MOTHERSBAUGH (lead vocals, synthesizer innovations) and GERALD CASALE (lead vocal, bass) and rounded out by BOB CASALE (guitarist), BOB MOTHERSBAUGH (guitars/vocals) and JOSH FREESE (drums)–are set make a special U.S. appearance at SXSW this year including a press conference (4:00pm) and keynote panel (5:00pm)–moderated by radio veteran Nic Harcourt–set for Thursday, March 19 at the Austin Convention Center (500 East Cesar Chavez St.). They’ll follow that up with a Friday, March 20 one-night-only SXSW concert at the Austin Music Hall (208 Nueces St.). Pre SXSW, DEVO fans in Dallas can catch a special one-off show on Wednesday, March 18 at the Palladium Ballroom.

In May, DEVO will head to the United Kingdom for a series of dates. On Wednesday, May 6, DEVO will perform their debut album, the seminal Q: Are We Not Men, We Are Devo! in its entirety from beginning to end at London’s Kentish Town Forum. Released in 1978, the seminal album produced by Brian Eno and recorded in Germany features such notable tracks such as the band’s cover of The Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” “Mongoloid” and “Jocko Homo.” Next up on Friday, May 8, they’ll headline the All Tomorrow’s Parties festival in Somerset at the Butlins Holiday Centre.

Formed in 1972 in Akron, OH, DEVO–short for “de-evolution”–began as an art project cautioning that humans were devolving and regressing into a herd mentality of American society, not evolving. A conceptual band from the beginning, DEVO were ahead of their time, incorporating elaborate aesthetics into their live shows and seamlessly combining their music with visuals years before MTV or any music-video culture existed. Indeed, the group’s first appearance at Kent State University in 1973 was recorded with a black and white portable video system. Societal satirists, DEVO’s lyrical mix of comedy and quirky wit, warned of the dangers of rampant capitalism in “Whip It” and “Freedom of Choice”, and the devolution of society in “Jocko Homo” and ”Beautiful World.“ Onstage in their early incarnation, the group began with a mixture of synthesizers and rock instruments; as they developed in the late seventies and early eighties, DEVO became one of the first American acts to perform using only synthesizers. DEVO have now returned with an evolved look, ready to impact the vastly devolved world we now find ourselves trying to navigate.

Expect more news regarding DEVO soon and catch up with them at:
www.clubdevo.com
www.myspace.com/devo

Download This!, Folk, Indie, Music, Music Video, Outlaw Country, Pop, Rock

Those Darlins Made My Day

27 February, 2009 Brian Mc 2 Comments

Before I even begin this blog, props need to go to my good pal Matt at Addicted To Vinyl for his assistance in helping me through rather vulgar texts on some mp3 help… Thanks jerk.

I had one of those days today. It was a bad day at work. It was just too much for me and I really wish I had a special remote control to help fast forward through all the BS. Unfortunately I do not so I had to go through my work day at a regular speed hating stressful moments.

Finally getting home I just needed some chill time and what better way to do that than to geek out on the laptop. I checked my emails and one in particular grabbed my attention. It was an email inviting me to check out a band called Those Darlins who are currently touring with Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys). Having never heard of them and being a huge Black Keys fan I decided it could not hurt to listen to the attached MP3.

What I heard completely changed my entire day and I am not just saying that. After hearing the song “Wild One” I just felt better. It was a fun folky honest song of sorts and something I really needed to brighten up my day.

So who are these three darlins I speak of? Those Darlins are a folk/country/indie/punk/appalachian/blue grass (hope I did not miss anything) band featuring Kelley Darlin on bass, Jessi Darlin, on guitar, and Nikki Darlin on, get this, baritone ukulele. Awesome.

The trio currently resides in the college town of Murfreesboro, TN a city that rests somewhere between the country capital of the world Nashville and the Woodstock replacing town of Manchester, the city Bonnaroo is held in. Taking their love of playing music and love for a variety of bands of all genres Those Darlins created their own style of music and released the sassy Wild One EP.

Before I even continue you should just click on the link for the song and listen to it for yourself…

–Download This! – Those Darlins – “Wild One”

With one song not enough of a sample I headed to their MySpace page to check out a few more tracks. The vocals on some of the tunes reminded me of a female version of Hank III as well as a twangy Jenny Lewis or even Zooey Deschanel. The music is classic at times and all around enjoyable.

I have a feeling these three cuties and their mustache sporting drummer really will be going places with their unique and chipper sound. To make things even better, I just found out that Those Darlins are coming to the Beachland Ballroom next week. I have to go see them in person and I think I will. Look for an update next week.

-To pick up the EP for just $5.00, or to purchase some of their self-made merchandise visit their site at:

www.thosedarlins.com

Until then check this video out…

Music, Pop, Rock, WTF

Last I Checked April Fool’s Day Was In April

21 February, 2009 Brian Mc 2 Comments

This blog belongs in the WTF catagory for sure… I just learned today of a super group of sorts forming featuring members of bands you would never suspect.

What band members do I speak of? How about former Smashing Pumpkin guitarist James Iha, Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos, singer/Hanson brother Taylor, and Fountains of Wayne bassist Adam Schlesinger. Supergroup indeed. The band is called Tinted Windows and they should be releasing an album on April 21st, 2009.

Read on…

(Taken From Pitckforkmedia.com)

WTF: Members of Smashing Pumpkins, Hanson, Cheap Trick, and Fountains of Wayne Form Band

According to Billboard.com, there’s a new band that exists on earth called Tinted Windows featuring former Smashing Pumpkin James Iha, Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos, handsome Hanson brother Taylor, and Fountains of Wayne bassist Adam Schlesinger.

I am looking at my calendar right now. It is not April 1.

A couple things while my mind is still barely stuck together: You put together one of the most random something-groups ever and the best name you can come up with is Tinted Windows?! Is that a play on the secretive nature of the group? Do they all wear Men in Black shades on stage? Is this a Blues Brothers revival act? But, really, if you’re going to go “Tinted” why not go all the way, like Blacked Out. Or Smashed Windows. Well, maybe not “Smashed.” Hm. At least a moniker with some confidence, some commitment. As of now, this band is like the transition lenses of something-groups.

The union sort of makes sense considering Iha and Schlesinger co-own a studio and Taylor Hanson seems like an all-around good guy…but still.

Apparently, the band have already recorded their debut album in New York and are set to make their big time live splash at Billboard’s SXSW showcase March 20 in Austin.

If this is Billboard’s idea of a gag, I have to hand it to them– it could be an incredible gag.

UPDATE: It’s not a gag. Tinted Windows is very real, their publicist assures us. And their album is coming out April 21.

WTF indeed… I will be researching this in the upcomming weeks and hope to find out a little more about this including WHY.

Music, Pop, Punk, Reunion

Blink 182 To Reunite

8 February, 2009 Brian Mc 4 Comments

Pop punk is back…well it never went anywhere but today pop punk pioneers Blink 182 announced at the Grammy Awards that they were getting back together. Perhaps the near death experience that drummer Travis Barker lived to tell brought the three back together. Regardless, I am excited. I like them boys, they make me laugh.

Taken from ALTpress.com:

BLINK-182 REUNITE!
Posted by Tim Karan on 08-Feb-09 @ 09:14 PM

Pop-punk legends Blink-182 are reuniting. Vocalist/guitarist Tom DeLonge, bassist Mark Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker made the announcement Sunday night as presenters at the 2009 Grammy Awards. Barker said, “We used to play music together, and we decided we’re gonna play music together again.” Hoppus said, “Blink-182 is back.”

Blink-182 went on indefinite hiatus in 2005, leading to the formation of DeLonge’s Angels & Airwaves and Hoppus and Barker’s (+44). The new album will be the band’s sixth full-length and their first since their self-titled 2003 album.

UPDATED 10:17 P.M. EST: The band has concurrently posted a message at their website stating that they are currently in the studio writing and recording a record. “Summer 2009” is also mentioned, implying either a release of that record or perhaps a tour. The band also have new merch for sale.

UPDATED 10:22 P.M. EST:
Here is the band’s statement in full:

“Hi. We’re blink-182. This past week there’ve been a lot of questions about the current status of the band, and we wanted you to hear it straight from us. To put it simply, We’re back. We mean, really back. Picking up where we left off and then some. In the studio writing and recording a new album. Preparing to tour the world yet again. Friendships reformed. 17 years deep in our legacy.

Summer 2009.
Thanks and get ready…”

Music, Music Video, Pop, Punk, Reunion

Blink 182 Might Be Back

20 November, 2008 Brian Mc Leave a comment

This morning during my morning ritual of reading random blogs and just catching on on current events I found myself checking out +44‘s lead/bassist Mark Hoppus’ blog site. The former Blink 182 member had updated it for the first time in months. He explained where he has been, what he has been doing, and most of all reconnecting with friends from the past, more specifically Blink 182:

in the midst of everything else that has happened lately, tom, travis, and i have all spoken together. first through a number of phone calls, and then a couple of weeks ago we all hung out for a few hours. they’ve all been great, very positive conversations. we’re just reconnecting as friends after four years of not talking. it’s a good thing. obviously the first question for a lot of people will be “does this mean a blink-182 reunion?” the answer is none of us know. we haven’t talked about it at all. right now it’s just good for the three of us to see one another, reconnect, and let the past be the past. the events of the past two months supersede everything that happened before. life is too short.

Two months ago Travis Barker was involved in a terrible plane crash that left four dead. I posted a blog about it the day after it happened as I as a fan felt terrible about what happened. He luckily survived along with pal DJ-AM but it was still a horrific event and a real eye-opener for many. Seeing Mark Hoppus’ blog just proved more how the crash started to make people think about life and values of friendship.

It’s great to hear that the three members of the once power pop punk rock act are speaking. Blink 182’s break up was just dumb in my opinion. The guys had a good thing going and tossed it to the side for the sake of what seemed personal stardom. Each side had their story but once Blink 182 broke up it was clear that the three were not what they used to be. I would love to see Blink 182 reunite not for the music aspect but just to see the three together again. The band was a group of close friends and I myself liked them more because of that.

Whether they actually start up Blink 182 is still to be determined but at least they are hanging out again as friends.