Video: Flaming Lips and Lightning Bolt, “I Wanna Get High But I Don’t Want Brain Damage”
Oklahoma City-based psychedelic rockers The Flaming Lips are keeping their New Year’s resolution to release of barrage of new music in 2011. The band recently worked with Providence, R.I.-based experimental rockers Lightning Bolt on a 12-inch, four-track collaborative release. The trippy-as-you-should-expect music video for one of their joint efforts, “I Wanna Get High But I Don’t Want Brain Damage,” was crafted by Oklahoma City’s Delo Creative and is now available to barrage your senses – in a good way.
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Garth Brooks, Leon Russell welcomed into Songwriters Hall of Fame
Owasso resident Garth Brooks performs at at the 42nd Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards in New York, Thursday, June 16, 2011. (Associated Press photo)
Lawton native Leon Russell performs at at the 42nd Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards in New York, Thursday, June 16, 2011. (AP Photo)
Oklahoma natives Garth Brooks and Leon Russell were among the honorees Thursday night at the 2011 Songwriters Hall of Fame 42nd Anniversary Induction and Awards Dinner, where the hall of fame’s chairman Jimmy Webb, who hails from Elk City, and President/CEO Linda Moran celebrated some of the key songwriting legends of our time.
Along with Brooks and Russell, John Bettis, Billy Steinberg & Tom Kelly and Allen Toussaint were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame at the New York City gala. Honored with special awards were Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, who were presented the Johnny Mercer Award; Drake, who received the Hal David Starlight Award; the legendary Chaka Khan who received the Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award; Ervin Drake, who was presented the Towering Song Award for “It Was A Very Good Year;” and former hall of fame Chairman Emeritus Hal David, who received the first ever Visionary Leadership Award.
Some of the 2011 event’s most memorable moments featured Oklahomans: Garth Brooks and Billy Joel’s unforgettable duet of “Shameless,” in matching black cowboy hats, Leon Russell on piano with “A Song for You” and Garth’s wife Trisha Yearwood’s beautiful medley tribute to Hal David, including “What The World Needs Now.”
In addition, legendary songwriting partners Billy Steinberg & Tom Kelly performed their iconic “Like A Virgin,” Chaka Khan gave a powerhouse performance of “I’m Every Woman,” and the talented Chrissie Hynde captivated the crowd with “I’ll Stand By You.” Hip-hop sensation Drake performed, “The Calm,” off a mixtape for the first time at an award show or event, and in honor of John Bettis, Skyler Grey performed “Human Nature” on a dulcimer. The interesting pairing of Sam Moore and Bill Medley brought the crowd to its feet with “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’.”
The Johnny Mercer Award, which is the highest honor from the Songwriters Hall of Fame as only previous inductees can be eligible, was presented to Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. Throughout the past four decades, the melodies of Mann and the lyrics of Weil have comprised one of the most successful songwriting teams in history. Their body of work is so significant that it is often described as “a soundtrack to our lives.” Weil dedicated their award to “every songwriter facing 88 keys and a blank page” and recognized that receiving the Johnny Mercer Award is the consummate honor for a lyricist. The husband-and-wife team have written legendary songs such as “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” (with Phil Spector), “On Broadway” (with Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller), “Walking In The Rain,” “Soul And Inspiration,” “I Just Can’t Help Believing,” and the Grammy-nominated “Don’t Know Much” (with Tom Snow) to name just a few.
This year’s Hal David Starlight Award, given to gifted songwriters who are making significant impact in the music industry via their original songs, was presented to Drake by Jimmy Jam. Drake is one of music’s brightest new stars lauded for his songwriting prowess, melodious hooks and emotionally transparent performances. Drake dedicated the award to his mother, Sandi Graham, calling her the strongest person he knows.
The legendary Chaka Khan was this year’s recipient of the Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award, presented by Valerie Simpson. Music icon Khan, recognized for her all-powerful lungs, show stopping stage presence and fearless style thanked all of the amazing songwriters that have given her “her voice.” The soul singer-songwriter has won 10 Grammys and countless other awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award from both BET and the World Music Awards, as well as the prestigious UNCF Award of Excellence for her outstanding accomplishments in the music industry. Khan created some of the industry’s biggest hits, such as “I’m Every Woman,” “Papillon,” “What Cha’ Gonna Do For Me?” and “I Feel For You.”
This year’s Towering Song Award for “It Was A Very Good Year” was presented to Ervin Drake, and performed by actor/songwriter Dominic Chianese. The song was originally recorded by Bob Shane of The Kingston Trio in 1961, but it was Frank Sinatra’s rendition in 1965 that made the song legendary with his Grammy Award-winning version in D-minor. “It Was A Very Good Year,” has been recorded by many artists such as Oklahoma City-based rockers The Flaming Lips, Don McLean, Richie Havens, Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass, Lou Rawls, Eartha Kitt, Robbie Williams and Ray Charles as a duet with Willie Nelson.
Hal David was the recipient of the first ever Visionary Leadership Award for his outstanding 10 years of service as the Songwriting Hall of Fame’s chairman and CEO. During his chairmanship, the hall of fame’s Virtual Museum (Songhall.org) developed into the industry’s most authoritative website on songwriters and songwriting, becoming a comprehensive research tool with more than 250,000 records of data and over 10,000 pages of content that includes photos, discographies, audio clips and more. With David at the helm, the Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Dinner has become one of the most anticipated events on the music industry calendar. Along with his extraordinary service to the Songwriters Hall of Fame, David is a legendary and Academy Award-winning lyricist. He was inducted into the hall of fame in 1972, was honored with the Johnny Mercer Award in 1996 and the Towering Song Award for his iconic song “What The World Needs Now” in 2004.
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Flaming Lips playing 2nd Hollywood Forever cemetery show tonight
The Flaming Lips (Photo by J. Michelle Martin-Coyne)
Oklahoma City-based psychedelic rockers The Flaming Lips will play the second of two shows planned at the Hollywood Forever cemetery next to the Paramount Studios lot in Hollywood.
In addition to housing to the bodies of legendary stars like Cecil B. DeMille, Johnny Ramone, John Huston, Bugsy Siegel and Fay Wray, Hollywood Forever also serves as an outdoor film venue, art exhibitor and concert venue, according to the Los Angeles Times, which recently chatted with Lips frontman Wayne Coyne about the shows.
“It’s got a lot of appeal to it, especially for us,” lead singer Wayne Coyne told the L.A. Times on the phone from the band’s Oklahoma City headquarters, “because we sing a lot about this idea of ‘death’ — this idea of happiness and the realization of death, and what do we do with that? So there are a lot of great, powerful themes that you can play into as far as what it means to do all this stuff.”
The band was planning to perform two classic albums, the Lips’ own “The Soft Bulletin” and Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon,” on successive nights Tuesday and tonight. The Lips debuted both those album concerts in successive years here in OKC at their annual New Year’s Eve Freakout.
“They said, ‘Wayne, you can use anything here you want to do the show. They showed me the bell tower, and your mind immediately goes to some, ‘Of course, the Flaming Lips could do something.’ You kind of think of it as like the way that John and Yoko did the bed-in for peace — and people would just show up and we do this great rendition of ‘Do You Realize?’ while the sun comes up and everybody’s taking acid or something. I thought, why don’t we try?”
Read more about what Wayne and Co. plans to try tonight in Hollywood by clicking here.
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Video: Flaming Lips take fans behind the scenes of new EP “Prefuse 73,” new OKC gallery space
Oklahoma City-based psychedelic rockers The Flaming Lips have released a couple of YouTube videos that take fans behind the scenes of a couple of their latest projects.
According to Oklahoma Rock Newsblog, the Lips unveiled another surprise release Tuesday, an EP titled “Prefuse 73.” So far, the multi-colored vinyl release is only available at the Oklahoma City and Norman locations of Guestroom Records.
Lips frontman Wayne Coyne last week posted a video tour of the new Oklahoma City gallery space, WOMB, 25 NW 9. Wayne says the outside wall was painted by local artist/designer Kris Kanaly.
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CD review: “Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of the Flaming Lips”
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Children
“Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of the Flaming Lips” (Baby Rock Records)
Parents desiring to introduce their babies to the masterfully eccentric music of Oklahoma City-based psychedelic rockers the Flaming Lips — a noble goal to be sure — should consider “Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of the Flaming Lips” to their tiny tots’ nighttime repertoire.
The popular children’s series uses vibraphones, mellotrons and bells to convert rock songs from the likes of Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Coldplay, the Beatles, AC/DC, the Pixies and more into instrumental bedtime songs.
With the homegrown alt-rockers predisposition to lush melodies, unusual instrumentation and strange sound effects, it’s hard to imagine a band better suited for the “Rockabye Baby!” treatment.
Like most installments in the series, the Lips’ lullaby album doesn’t stray far from the band’s core canon, even opening with “Race for the Prize” and closing with state rock song “Do You Realize?!? Considering the Lips won best rock instrumental Grammys for the evocative epics “The Wizard Turns On …” and “Approaching Pavonis Mons by Balloon (Utopia Planitia),” it’s a shame neither earned a “Rockabye Baby!” interpretation.
But producer/performer Steven Boone cannily adapts the band’s signature songs, letting the distinctive melodies of “Fight Test,” “The W.A.N.D.” and “A Spoonful Weighs a Ton” ring clear even without the indelible lyrics.
Squeaking toys, ribbiting frogs, chirping crickets and other sleepy sound effects add appropriate, baby-friendly whimsy to “She Don’t Use Jelly” and “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1” and even the raucous energy of “The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song” is successfully transformed into a gentle but still vibrant lullaby.
— BAM
Photo: Flaming Lips’ Steve Drozd speaks to ACM@UCO’s first graduating class
From left, Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma CEO Scott Booker joins two members of the ACM@UCO’s first graduating class, Scott Hartman and Allison Thomas, in a chat with Steven Drozd, member of the Grammy Award-winning band The Flaming Lips. Drozd served as the featured speaker at the ACM@UCO’s celebration of it’s first graduating class of 90 students Wednesday night at the Bricktown Events Center. (UCO photo by Daniel Smith)
Steven Drozd of Oklahoma City-based Grammy-winning rockers The Flaming Lips, spoke to the members of the first graduating class of the Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma at a celebration Wednesday at the Bricktown Events Center.
The class of about 90 students will receive their Associate of Applied Science degrees at UCO’s Commencement Ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday.
The grads also are celebrating the completion of the program at the second “ACM@UCO Rocks Bricktown” event, which is making free music throughout the Oklahoma City entertainment district tonight. About 60 music acts made up of ACM@UCO students will perform at 11 Bricktown venues throughout this evening until about midnight.
For more information on the event, click here. See the full schedule for tonight’s “ACM@UCO Rocks Bricktown” after the break.
Wednesday Video Spotlight: Public Arts Project 66
Wayne Coyne, frontman of the Oklahoma City-based psychedelic rock band The Flaming Lips, has joined a Kickstarter campaign to raise money for a public art project along Route 66 right here in Oklahoma. Check out this video of him touting the project, which is posted above in the Wednesday Video Spotlight.
The money will fund the creation of several elaborate murals to be created by El Reno artist Rick Sinnett and his crew.
Through Public Arts Project 66, Sinnett and Dwelling Spaces are partnering to create 11 Oklahoma-inspired murals along the Mother Road in our fair state.
The first mural in the series, “Indian Warrior,” was funded by Dwelling Spaces and has been painted on Route 66 in Tulsa’s Blue Dome Arts District on Rose’s Second Hand Pawn Shop.
Sinnett and crew will paint the second mural, “Guardian of the Mother Road,” on the 50-foot-by-50-foot Drive-In Saloon in El Reno.
For more information on Public Arts Project 66, click here to go to the Kickstarter page.
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Flaming Lips’ Steven Drozd to speak at ACM@UCO’s first graduation ceremony
Multi-instrumentalist and former master class speaker Steven Drozd of Oklahoma City-based psychedelic rockers The Flaming Lips has been confirmed as the special guest speaker for the ACM@UCO's first graduation ceremonies on May 4. (Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman Archives)
The Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma (ACM@UCO) has a full calendar for the rockin’ month of May.
Getting it started a bit early, The Turtles featuring Flo and & Eddie will perform tonight at an ACM@UCO fundraiser. Mark Volman – AKA Flo – of 1960s band the Turtles was set to give a master class at the school Friday, according to a news release. The Los Angeles native found fame with his band’s 1967 hit single “Happy Together,” and he was invited to give students an in-depth discussion of his career and performance.
On May 4, ACM@UCO will have its inaugural graduation ceremonies, bidding farewell to its first class of students, including those who have landed high-profile jobs in the music industry. Multi-instrumentalist and former master class speaker Steven Drozd of Oklahoma City-based psychedelic rockers The Flaming Lips is confirmed as the special guest speaker for the event.
On May 5, 60 ACM@UCO-affiliated bands will perform across 11 venues in Oklahoma City’s historic district as part of ACM@UCO’s Bricktown Takeover.
On May 7, ACM@UCO’s student-run Performance Lab will play host to a performance by Man Man, followed by The Black Angels on May 20.
On May 10, ACM@UCO will host a master class with guitar legend Robben Ford.
-BAM
New releases for April 26, 2011: “Layla’s” 40th anniversary edition, Flaming Lips’ “Rockabye Baby!” and The Pioneer Woman’s children’s book
Rock fans eager to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Derek & the Dominoes sole studio album “Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs,” which features one of the best rock ballads of all time in the title track, have a couple of special releases to choose from releasing today.
Along with the two-CD deluxe edition, a super deluxe edition is available and includes four CDs, 2 vinyl LPs and a DVD.
Derek & the Dominos was formed by guitarist/singer Eric Clapton with other former members of Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, in the spring of 1970. The rest of the lineup was Oklahoma City native Carl Radle (bass), Bobby Whitlock (keyboards, vocals) and Jim Gordon (drums). Although the band only recorded one studio efforts and a couple of live albums, it is now regarded as a high point in Clapton’s illustrious career.
Also on CD this week, Oklahoma City-based psychedelic rockers The Flaming Lips become the latest band to have their signature songs turned into instrumental lullabies with the release of “Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of The Flaming Lips.”
On the bookshelf, Ree Drummond, the Oklahoma blogger known as The Pioneer Woman, makes her first foray into children’s books with “Charlie the Ranch Dog,” a story based on her beloved basset hound.
Drummond will be signing copies of the book from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. today at Best of Books, 1313 E Danforth in Edmond.
Drummond began blogging in 2006 and has built an award-winning website, where she shares recipes, showcases her photography, and documents her hilarious transition from city life to ranch wife. She is the author of the No. 1 New York Times bestselling cookbook “The Pioneer Woman Cooks” and the memoir “The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels–A Love Story,” which has been optioned for a film. She lives on a working cattle ranch near Pawhuska, with her husband, Ladd (AKA The Marlboro Man); their four kids; Charlie; and lots of other animals.
Here is a list of new CDs, DVDs and books, from Amazon.com and VideoETA.com:
CDs
Derek & The Dominos, “Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition).”
Rockabye Baby!, “Lullaby Renditions of The Flaming Lips.”
Emmylou Harris, “Hard Bargain.”
Steve Earle, “I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive.”
Tab Benoit, “Medicine.”
Explosions in the Sky, “Take Care, Take Care, Take Care.”
The Rolling Stones, “The Complete Singles (1971-2006)” (Box set).
Roy Orbison, “Roy Orbison: The Monument Singles Collection” (2 CD/1 DVD set).
DVDs
3 Idiots
The Avengers: Volume 1, Heroes Assemble!
The Avengers: Volume 2, Captain America Reborn!
Blood Out
Growing Pains: The Complete Second Season
Jolene
Knockout
One Way to Valhalla
Revenge of the Bridesmaids
Sacrifice
Sniper: Reloaded
South Park: The Complete Fourteenth Season
Testees: The Complete Series
Upstairs, Downstairs
Books
Charlie the Ranch Dog by Ree Drummond, Diane De Groat
KaBOOM!: How One Man Built a Movement to Save Play by Darell Hammond, Stuart L Brown MD
The Wizard of Lies by Diana B. Henriques
-BAM
Video: Celebrate Record Store Day today
Record Store Day, an annual celebration of independently-owned brick-and-mortar purveyors of music, is today.
Wayne Coyne, frontman of Oklahoma City-based psychedelic rockers The Flaming Lips, sang the praises of these disappearing outlets in an interview with The Oklahoman’s Entertainment Editor Gene Triplett.
“I think the record stores that have survived this far will probably go on like this forever,” he told Gene. “That said, I think it’s done by people who really love having a little store, people who really care about the music that’s in there. They’re not making the kind of money record stores did back in the ’70s or early ’80s.”
The Lips are planning a special vinyl release today for Record Store Day. The Lips’ label, Warner Bros. is releasing today “Heady Nuggs,” a boxed set of vinyl versions of the first five albums the Lips recorded for the label (if you don’t count 1997′s four-disc set “Zaireeka”).
The albums being released include “Hit to Death in the Future Head” (1992), “Transmissions From the Satellite Heart” (1993), “Clouds Taste Metallic” (1995), “The Soft Bulletin” (1999), and the Grammy Award-winning “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” (2002).
The limited-edition “Heady Nuggs” boxed sets will be available in 140-gram black vinyl in stores and a special edition pressed in five different colors will be available exclusively on the band’s website.
Coyne also chatted with Gene about the other special releases the band is planning as part of their scheme to release a song a month in 2011. Not surprisingly, the Lips are going about it rather bizarre ways; click here to read Gene’s intriguing story.
Among the local businesses celebrating Record Store Day are both Guestroom Records locations, which also are planning live music by various Oklahoma bands. The Oklahoma City store, 3701 N Western, will have Pretty Black Chains, Student Film, Purple Church and others performing from 1 to 5 p.m. today.
The party will move to the Norman branch of Guestroom Records, where Broncho, The Workweek, The Nghiems and more will play starting at 6 p.m. today at Guestroom Records, 125 E Main. For more information, call 701-5974 or go to www.guestroom-records.com.
In this NewsOK video, Guestroom owner Justin Sowers talks about Record Store Day and about the popularity of vinyl.
-BAM
