Smashing Pumpkins LLC Now Accepting Applications
Now that Jimmy Chamberlin has apparently decided that The Smashing Pumpkins is not a growth industry for him, Billy Corgan is now conducting auditions. The cattle call for stick men and women will be held April 10 in Los Angeles. Those interested in keeping time in a ’90s nostalgia act who have a yearning for the rock ‘n’ roll version of working for Anna Wintour, e-mail photos, background information and Web videos of your performance to pumpkinsdrummer@gmail.com.
Random 10 for March 31, 2009
1. Fol Chen, “Cable TV.” Highland Park (Cali) quintet delivers bubble-synthy goodness about the joys of cheap hotels — “the carpet’s filthy, but the ice is free.” The video looks like what would happen if Jive/Zomba reduced Britney Spears’ video budget to one digicam and random Spandex. I think I just came up with a good band name.
2. TV On The Radio, “Hours.”
3. Portishead, “Deep Water.”
4. Siouxsie & The Banshees, “Cities in Dust.” The ultimate in doom. My chief memory of this song is driving around San Diego in July 1986, and 91X playing this track constantly for all the bummed out surfers. Not exactly beach music, unless your particular beach is situated on a coast of infinite misery and certain annihilation.
5. Apples in Stereo, “Beautiful Machine Parts 3-4.”
6. The Buzzcocks, “Boredom.”
7. Miles Davis, “Boplicity.”
8. British Sea Power, “Carrion.”
9. Ween, “Where’d the M———- Cheese Go At?”
10. Golden Silvers, “True Romance (True No. 9 Blues).” This is where the cheese went. I love the Dr. Fink-style keyboards, but seriously — between La Roux and this, I’m starting to think that the entirety of Great Britain has “Life On Mars”‘d itself into 1982.
Video of the Day: Sebastian Tellier, “Roche”
This is a thoroughly silly clip, what with S.Tell dressing like Andrew Gold and the blue women and the giant mouths on the beach and whatnot. That’s just part of the charm.
Josh Freese Has Got the Special Editions
For his latest solo disc, Since 1972, omnipresent L.A. drummer Josh Freese, who has played with every band in that town except maybe Eagles, is offering tons of add-ons for some purchase packages. In an earlier post, I listed the various combinations the Beasties are selling for the Check Your Head re-release, but Freese has created a $75,000 package for discriminating and recession-proof fans:
$75,000 (limited edition of 1)
* Signed CD/DVD and digital download
* T-shirt
* Go on tour with Josh for a few days.
* Have Josh write, record and release a 5 song EP about you and your life story.
* Take home any of his drumsets (only one but you can choose which one.)
* Take shrooms and cruise Hollywood in Danny from Tool’s Lamborgini or play quarters and then hop on the Ouija board for a while.
* Josh will join your band for a month…play shows, record, party with groupies, etc….
* If you don’t have a band he’ll be your personal assistant for a month (4-day work weeks, 10 am to 4 pm)
* Take a limo down to Tijuana and he’ll show you how it’s done (what that means exactly we can’t legally get into here)
* If you don’t live in Southern California (but are a US resident) he’ll come to you and be your personal assistant/cabana boy for 2 weeks.
* Take a flying trapeze lesson with Josh and Robin from NIN, go back to Robin’s place afterwards and his wife will make you raw lasagna.
Sounds crunchy.
Beasties Ready “Check Your Head” Re-Release
Hot off the excellent remastered 20th anniversary edition of Paul’s Boutique, Beastie Boys will offer a newly remastered version of 1992’s Check Your Head in multiple configurations:
* Digital Download (album and b-sides)
* Deluxe Digital Option (also includes videos and video commentary)
* Deluxe, limited collector’s vinyl + Digital Download
* Standard double vinyl + Digital Download
* Ecopack double CD + Digital Download
* Shirt combos: Deluxe Digital + shirt, standard Vinyl + shirt, CD + shirt, deluxe, limited collector’s vinyl + shirt
All of this comes as the trio ramps up with scheduled performances at Bonnaroo, All Points West in New Jersey, the Hollywood Bowl in September and, of course, the still-tentatively titled Tadlock’s Glasses. The various packages will be released April 7, available directly through http://checkyourhead.beastieboys.com/and iTunes, and is available for pre-order now.
Random 10 for March 30, 2009
In Private
1. Sahara Hotnights, “In Private.” This first single from Sparks is surprising for a number of reasons (1) my favorite all-female Swedish garage-rock band has gone with an ultra-louche disco-synth sound for their reintroduction to the States, and (2) it’s a Dusty Springfield cover that was written for her by (3) The Pet Shop Boys for her late-’80s comeback. Odd choice all around, but if SH was going to recast themselves as disco-rock divas, it serves them well.
2. Death Cab For Cutie, “What Sarah Said.”
3. Ladytron, “Playgirl.”
4. Craig Armstrong, “Childhood.”
Kaiser Chiefs - Never Miss A Beat
5. Kaiser Chiefs, “Never Miss a Beat.” What do you want for tea? I want crisps!
6. Ghostface Killah, “R.A.G.U.”
7. Radar Bros., “Papillon.”
8. Patton Oswalt, “Tom Carvel.”
What's a Girl To Do - Bat For Lashes
9. Bat For Lashes, “What’s a Girl To Do?” Yes, apparently we’re doing “Wicker Man” animal masks today. Right now, I’m trying to secure an advance of Two Suns, because waiting until April 7 just seems like an untenable option.
10. Nina Simone, “Funkier Than a Mosquito’s Tweeter.”
Video of the Day: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, “Zero”
It’s Blitz hits stores tomorrow, and yes, it’s super-electro. Review to follow shortly.
Static, Episode 7: Rokhsan
Interview
“Lately”
“Sunny Skies”
“No Greater Love”
Trailer: “Where the Wild Things Are”
This one’s from Hulu, so less likely to disappear. Looks stunning and the Arcade Fire is a fine choice for this piece of hipster nostalgia.
“30 Rock”: 1-900-OKFACE
“That’s not even enough numbers!”
