“I don’t know why,” explains the guitar virtuoso from his pad in California about his Godfather status, “probably because I’m one of the first and only people who’ve kept at it.” It meaning, of course, transforming influences like Hendrix and Zappa and bands like Budgie, and Nazareth-–both credited as some of the first groups to create heavy metal—into a form of indolent, apocalyptic (both sonically and lyrically), heavy-ass blues music full of a massive low end grumble, gloomy lyrics, and killer guitar playing, often called Doom Metal.

“I don’t consider my music to be Solely Doom Metal, especially if you listen to my new record,” says Wino. And, that new record Wino’s referencing is ‘Punctuated Equilibrium’ featuring Jean-Paul Gaster of Clutch (drums) and Jon Blank of Rezin (bass guitar), which is out this month on Southern Lord records. Equilibrium is a really great album. If you’re a fan of heavy music or any of Wino’s other bands, you’ll absolutely love this one.  According to Wino this album is a culmination of some very old ideas that finally came to fruition.

“Basically I was about to hang it up…but, me and John Paul (Gaster of the band Clutch who plays drums on the release) had always admired each other’s playing and we decided it would be good to do a record,” says Wino. “I think it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done. The bass sounds amazing, the production sounds amazing, and the drums sound great. I think it’s fantastic.”

And, my friends, fantastic is an understatement. This shit is just fucking mind-blowing, chock-full of soul and sincerity. The type of sincerity that rings out genuinely true as you hear Wino sharing HIS spotlight on HIS solo debut with the rest of his killer ensemble. It’s great to hear ‘em all revel in the fruits of Wino’s 25 years of solid songwriting, killer guitar pyrotechnics, and intense drive for success. And, it’s that drive for success that makes Wino, his music, and his first ever solo album so special.

It’s clear that Wino genuinely loves what he does for a living and his inspiring philosophy of perseverance shrines through in everything he touches.

“Don’t give up,” advises the guitarist, “if you’ve got something you believe in, just keep trying man.” And, lucky for a legion of devout fans Wino has taken his own advice for the past 25 glorious years.

Yeah, well, don’t get too excited…the’re only playing gigs in Europe. And original guitarist, Jim Martin won’t be part of the band. Bummer.

In the IKEA commercial video, Orange County’s Will Crum and his band act like thy’re sneaking into a local IKEA to perform a “surprise” gig in one of their kitchen displays. It only took 3 songs before “security” shut them down.

Aftereards, an IKEA spokeswoman was quoted as saying “Bien plus qu’un marchand de meubles” meaning “holy shit, we’re now completely sold out of Ekby Hensvik wall shelves!

Allegedly, the new production will create 400 new jobs in Kid Rock’s home town. The price and style of the Kid Rock brew is still to be determined, but Bobby Mason, owner and brewermaster at the Michigan Brewing, said “Rock is taking an active role in creating the product.”

Cheers, the first Kid Rock-inspired beer will be here by springtime.

“It is with great sadness that we are reporting some major changes here at Touch and Go Records.  Many of you may not be aware, but for nearly 2 decades, Touch and Go has provided manufacturing and distribution services for a select yet diverse group of other important independent record labels.  Titles from these other labels populate the shelves of our warehouse alongside the titles on our own two labels, Touch and Go Records, and Quarterstick Records.

“Unfortunately, as much as we love  all of these labels, the current state of the economy has reached the point where we can no longer afford to continue this lesser known, yet important part of Touch and Go’s operations.  Over the years, these labels have become part of our family, and it pains us to see them go.  We wish them all the very best and we will be doing everything we can to help make the transition as easy as possible.

“Touch and Go will be returning to its roots and focusing solely on being an independent record label.  We’ll be busy for a few months working closely with the departing labels and scaling our company to an appropriate smaller size after their departure.  It is the end of a grand chapter in Touch and Go’s history, but we also know that good things can come from new beginnings,” says Rusk.

]]> http://baronvoneryk.wordpress.com/2009/02/18/touch-and-go-records-to-hault-distribution/feed/ 0 reoweedwgn logo2 http://baronvoneryk.wordpress.com/2009/02/17/cd-review-outrageous-cherry-universal-malcontents/ http://baronvoneryk.wordpress.com/2009/02/17/cd-review-outrageous-cherry-universal-malcontents/#comments Tue, 17 Feb 2009 23:42:47 +0000 reoweedwgn http://ohhburn.com/?p=1339 ]]> Out today on Alive Naturalsound Records is Detroit revivalist’s Outrageous Cherry’s new album “Universal Malcontents”. This is the bands 9th release, so I don’t know where you’ve been while these dudes have been working their asses off to bring you some killer Motor City, Kick out the Jams, Roxy Music, Mott the Hopple–rock and roll type shit.

These Michiganites named the band after some bright red hair dye, but don’t let that throw ya. They’ve already earned some cult status by kickin’ out some good shit on labels like Bar None, Mind Expansion and Creation Record’s guru Alan McGee’s Poptones records to name a few. You know what, man. You’ve pro’lly heard these cats actually, because their cover of Junior Kimbrough’s “Lord Have Mercy on Me” was the opening credits of the film “Black Snake Moan”.

“Towards the beginning of my career in Nine Inch Nails, our biggest break came in the form of an invitation to perform a series of shows with Jane’s Addiction. These performances essentially created and defined the term ‘alternative’ rock in the US, created an ongoing festival franchise that is still thriving (Lollapalooza), set the stage for Nirvana to shift popular taste a few months later, and were really fucking FUN to play and attend – truly the best times I’ve had. The shows were epic. So epic, they propelled NIN to the ‘next level’, but caused Jane’s to implode. The band broke up at the end of that tour.”

There’s been no mention of the NIN/Janes Addiction tour, but both bands are scheduled to play at the Bonnaroo and Sasquatch music festivals.

Guess who’s headlining? Yep, Jane’s Addiction! Yep, all four original members are going to kiss (did you ever see them all make-out in that “the Gift” movie?) and make-up so they can earn some scrilla playing the festival which runs May 23, 24, and 25 at The Gorge in Quincy, Washington.

Tickets go on sale on February 28 at 10 a.m. Three-day passes will run you $154.40, and single day will cost $56.50, but prices go up on March 2.

Band List
Jane’s Addiction, (feat. all four original members), Kings of Leon, Nine Inch Nails, Ben Harper & Relentless7, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Erykah Badu, The Decemberists, Fleet Foxes, TV On The Radio, Animal Collective, Silversun Pickups, Bon Iver, Santigold, Of Montreal, Explosions In The Sky, Devotchka, Peter Bjorn & John, Gogol Bordello, M. Ward, The Avett Brothers, Doves, Calexico, Grizzly Bear, M83, Girl Talk, The Gaslight Anthem,The Walkmen, Chromeo (dj set), Deadmau5, Mugison, Sun Kil Moon, Airborne Toxic Event, Blitzen Trapper, Shearwater, BLK JKS, The Wrens, Tobacco, Monotonix, King Khan & The Shrines, St. Vincent, Passion Pit, John Vanderslice, Bishop Allen, Blind Pilot, AA Bondy, Black Moth Super Rainbow, The Knux, Ra Ra Riot, The Dodos, Beach House, Arthur & Yu, The Submarines, Owl City, Viva Voce, James Pants, Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band, The Builders & The Butchers, The Dutchess & The Duke, Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head, Dent May & His Magnificent Ukelele, Fences, School of Seven Bells, Death Vessel, Horse Feathers, Hockey, Point Juncture, WA, The Pica Beats, Loch Lomond, Vince Mira, and more…

COMEDIANS
Zach Galifiankas, Demetri Martin, Tim & Eric Awesome Show Great Job, Todd Barry, Jon Benjamin, God’s Pottery, People’s Republic of Komedy, and more…

Well, since sales have been so low there’s only one way nowadays to increase demand. Yep, Interscope records have decided to release the album on Rock Band.

Please enjoy.

Smith’s legacy is a tragic one and his music provided a soundtrack to mirror his life as he struggled with addiction, depression and alcoholism. Throughout his career he made mention of suicide often and once made a serious attempt at ending his life. When questioned about the attempt, he told an interviewer, “Yeah, I jumped off a cliff, but let’s talk about something else.”

Around the time of his 34th birthday–August 6, 2003, Smith began recoding the From a Basement on the Hill tracks. He also gave up alcohol, caffeine, red meat, refined sugar and his steady regimen of psychiatric meds. Two and a half months later Elliot was found dead from two stab wounds to the chest.

According to girlfriend Jennifer Chiba, with whom Smith was living at the time, the two were arguing, and she locked herself in the bathroom to take a shower. Chiba heard Smith scream, and upon opening the door, saw Smith standing with a kitchen knife in his chest. She pulled the knife out, after which he collapsed and she called 911. Smith died in the hospital later that day. Smith’s death was originally reported as a suicide, but the official autopsy report was inconclusive and left open the possibility that Chiba stabbed Smith. A possible suicide note was found written on a Post-it note that read: “I’m so sorry—love, Elliott. God forgive me.”