Two New Interviews For Dark Stuff Podcast

I just got confirmation today that I will be interviewing both Madder Rose and Overwhelming Colorfast for The Dark Stuff Podcast. Both bands will be part of my series of podcasts on amazing 90s bands that didn't get their due. I'll keep you posted on some others that I'm working on.

R.I.P. Arthur C. Clarke

Easily one of the greatest writers of all time, Arthur C. Clarke, passed away this week at the age of 90. The New York Times has a lengthy piece on him and his impact.

Ace Frehley To Play In Council Bluffs

Yes! Former KISS guitarist, Ace Frehley, will be playing in my area on his current tour. On Friday, May 9, Ace will be playing at Whiskey Roadhouse in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The venue is part of one of the casinos over in CB. Not sure which one. I will be there with bells on, people!

Paul Stanley: KISS "will continue without me"

KISS frontman, Paul Stanley, gave an interview to an Australian newspaper on the eve of the band's current tour and said that he can envision a time where KISS goes on without him. "Some people can't imagine it without me, but I'm here to tell you, I can. There is somebody out there with the same amount of passion and the same amount of drive," he said.

Gene Simmons said a similar thing a few years ago. I have to tell you something guys, KISS is not Menudo. You can't just replace members when they reach a certain age and expect the fans to still care. I wrote off KISS as a functioning band when they re-fired Ace and Peter and replaced them younger models. If Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons left, there would be no original members, and no reason to see or listen to the band.

All things must end. KISS is one of those things.

New Eagle*Seagull Music

Lincoln, Nebraska's fantastic Eagle*Seagull have just released a new 5-song EP called I Hate EPs. The album is available in a limited edition vinyl format that can be purchased directly from the band, or bought digitally on itunes.

Yesterday on Lazy-i, Tim reported that the E*S record is limited to 500 copies, and each features a hand screened cover. The digital version of the release features three additional tracks. E*S also said they will have a new full-length album out soon on a new label, but did not give any additional details. (I heard a rumor that it was the label owned by Starbucks coffee. I'd hate to have to go to Starbucks to buy a CD, but for Eagle*Seagull, I guess I could make an exception.)

The Lemonheads Get Expanded

The Lemonheads' classic 1992 album, It's a Shame About Ray, will get the re-issue treatment from Rhino Records this month. The expanded CD/DVD edition of the album will be released March 25. The audio portion can be purchased separately through places like itunes, but to get the full package, you need to actually go to a record store.

I have been a Lemonheads fan since about 1990 when I heard their cover of Suzanne Vega's "Luka." The Shame record, was the band's second for a major label, and featured a poppier, more acoustic-based sound. Juliana Hatfield played bass and sang on the album, as well.

Many people consider Shame to be the best Lemonheads record. I'm not sure if it's the "best" but it is quite great. The band's cover of Simon & Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson" became a hit at the time.

Gene Simmons Is Bald?

I'm still not convinced. These so-called paparazzi photos of Gene Simmons and Shannon Tweed are all over the internet. I find the timing curious. These pictures miraculously show up on the very day that the 3rd season of Gene Simmons Family Jewels premiers on A&E?

It's not that Gene couldn't be bald. He definitely could. He's been wearing a piece since 1984 (check out the back cover of the Animalize album). But the timing on this is too perfect.

Times New Viking TONIGHT at Waiting Room

Columbus, Ohio's noisiest indie rockers, Times New Viking, return to Omaha tonight for a show at Waiting Room.

TNV is an interesting band that is somewhat reminiscent of very early Pavement (stuff like Perfect Sound Forever or Demolition Plot J-7). The band's newest CD, Rip It Off, is so noisy that it sounds like your speakers are being shredded with a razor. You can tell that there are catchy pop songs underneath all that noise, but sometimes it can be a little too rough for my ears. I imagine that it will sound more "balanced" in a live setting, though I am not sure what I am basing that on.

At this point, I am about 50/50 as to whether or not I can make it to the show. I'd like to, but it's a Monday, and Mondays are tough for me.

Vampire Weekend on SNL this weekend

So, not only has Vampire Weekend landed on the cover of Spin magazine for March, they are the musical guest for Saturday Night Live this weekend with Amy Adams.

Not bad for a band from New York who just formed in 2006.

I've listened to their debut album. It's not bad by any stretch. However, I can't help but think of not only Talking Heads, but Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. The Web site I review for gives me about five to ten CDs a month from indie bands. If Vampire Weekend were to fall in that bin and no press hype were associated with them, I would probably give their album a strong 'B' - good CD, but nothing special that stands out.

The old, crusty part of me thinks a band needs to do a great share of due paying before landing on the cover of Spin or being on SNL. But as readership declines for Spin and viewers continue to turn away from conventional TV, you have to strike while the iron is hot to borrow from the cliche.

Speaking of declines, album sales have been going south for a long time. That's sad news for everyone from record store clerks to bands, but declining sales also creates some interesting happenings on the Billboard charts. Such as seeing a soundtrack (Juno) with Cat Power, Velvet Underground and Sonic Youth comfortably remain in the top ten for more than a month against such corporate mainstays as Hannah Montana and the new Janet Jackson album. And seeing the soundtrack of Once also land in the top ten and Radiohead's In Rainbows, an album that pretty much was available free, enjoyed a one-month run in the Top 10 - that kind of shit restores at least a glimmer of faith in popular music.

Iggy Pop To Play Madonna At R&R Hall of Fame Ceremony

My dislike of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is well documented. But I may have to put aside my animus for one night because I just read that Iggy & the Stooges will be performing Madonna songs at her induction ceremony next week.

Awesome. I have known that Stooges bassist Mike Watt was a Madonna fan for a long time now, but I had no idea about Iggy Pop. No matter how this turns out, I think it will be entertaining at the very least.

Brother Ali at Waiting Room TONIGHT

Rhymesayers recording artist Brother Ali is playing at Waiting Room tonight. Ali usually hits Omaha once or twice a year, but for some reason, I have not been able to see him until now. Tickets are $12 and Abstract Rude, Toki Wright, & BK-One are opening.

You can hear a couple of Brother Ali tracks at Last.FM. And here is the video of his song, "Uncle Sam Goddamn."

Van Halen Tour Canceled?

TMZ is reporting that the rest of Van Halen tour is being canceled, due to a possible drug or alcohol relapse from Eddie Van Halen.

UPDATE: According to Billboard.com, the tour is NOT canceled.