Moving forward, let's dive into the blog. This one's going to be pretty meaty, so you may want to grab a beer or something... you'll probably finish it before you finish reading this. It is nice to know that even though I've been away for a while, some things just don't change in the music world. Just this week alone, I've read tidbits about Axl Rose bitching about the organization at the Leeds and Reading Festivals and how his performances got "cut short" in order to comply with local curfews. He also apologized for the shows being "lackluster"...
Another quick note before going onto alternative stuff, apparently some Beatles fan paid almost $15,000 for a toilet that was owned by John Lennon from 1969 to 1971. I wonder if he got a certificate of authenticity or ownership with it? I mean, how do you prove he owned it? DNA?
August has been a good month for fans of the band Weezer - The band is releasing their new album Hurley on September 14th, then quickly following it up with an October 5th reissue of Pinkerton, from 1996. A rarities compilation, Death to False Metal, is also in the works. But for the cult that has developed around the Pinkerton, Weezer's emotionally charged second album, there's even better news: According to guitarist Brian Bell, Weezer may perform the album in its entirety in a special tour. This is especially notable because Weezer has banished the album's material from their set lists in recent years.
There's been a good deal of media coverage lately regarding the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina... maybe too much. However, there have been some good highlights coming out of this. Artists like My Morning Jacket, OK Go, Steve Earle, R.E.M.'s Mike Mills, Tom Morello and more have teamed up for a new digital benefit compilation, titled Dear New Orleans, marking this fifth anniversary The set — which hit all digital retailers and DearNewOrleansMusic.org last week — includes new material, covers of traditional songs about New Orleans, and collaborations with local musicians. The MC5's Wayne Kramer teams up with New Orleans' funk rock mainstays Bonerama on one track, while MMJ collaborate with Preservation Hall Jazz Band on a cover of Al Johnson's Mardi Gras anthem "Carnival Time" for another. Fun stuff!
OK, here's one for the old folks... sorry couldn't help that... tell you what; I'll include myself in that group as well. Blondie will release Panic of Girls, their first new album since 2003's The Curse of Blondie, before they begin touring Australia in November, according to the groups drummer Clem Burke. The exact release date of the disc, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers' third since they reunited in 1997, has yet to be decided. If you don't feel all that cool with the "old" part, think about this. Debbie Harry of Blondie has been on the cover not once, but twice of AARP magazine...
I read this next bit on the website of my local newspaper. I live in a small town along the coast of Maine just north of Portland... which isn't all THAT big of a city. However, it is cool to see a local musician start making the big time.
http://knox.villagesoup.com/ae/story/midcoast-native-plays-letterman/347764
Alright, I'll admit it... this isn't really alternative, but it's damn cool. Earlier this month, at the American Carnage gig at New Jersey's Izod Center, thrash-metal mainstays Slayer and Megadeth tore through complete versions of some of their most beloved albums: Seasons in the Abyss and Rust in Peace, respectively. Unlike the flash and pyrotechnics associated with most arena metal bands, the two kept the focus on the music with virtuosic, pummeling sets.
Slayer has always been one of the most deft bands in metal, and so they remain. After opening with two tunes from last year's World Painted Blood, guitarist Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King launched into the Seasons opener "War Ensemble," then dug into "Hallowed Point," a frenetic track that stands out on an album well known for its sludgy tempos. But the highlight of the set came with the closing numbers “Raining Blood” and “Angel of Death,” as Hanneman and King fluidly swapped solos. Frontman and bassist Tom Araya, recently recovered from back surgery, belted out the gruesome lyrics with a smile, then retreated to the drum riser to sip hot tea between songs. Wow... how times have changed...
Once Megadeth were up, they dove head-first into the classics, starting with “Holy Wars…The Punishment Due.” Frontman Dave Mustaine ripped through the entire album without addressing the audience - although he later apologized for his manners. Mustaine’s voice has lost a bit of its power over the years, becoming more of a yelp than a snarl on tracks like “Rust in Peace.” Returning bassist and founding member Dave Ellefson made up for Mustaine’s shortcomings, though, eliciting huge applause as he laid down solid foundations for “Trust” and “Dawn Patrol.” Still, the biggest shouts of the night came for set closer “Peace Sells." As Megadeth tore through the track, the audience shouted out the chorus like the song was a fresh hit, not twenty years old. Thank you gentlemen for keeping the faith.
That's all the time I have for right now. Hopefully, it won't be another 5+ weeks before the next installment. Keep listening!
Peace Out,
Dave
