Guitars Are Coming Back

Guys from Sonic Youth have found one of their guitars, which was stolen from them ten years ago, said Pitchfork. Probably thieves thought of getting it back, but just wanted to try it out for a little more than was expected. In 1999 musicians became victims of some unknown thieves who stole their guitars and other sound equipment. Band’s guitarist Lee Ranaldo had published a message to Sonic Youth’s fans asking them for assistance in finding that equipment characterizing it as “very old, modified and slightly broken”. One of those guitars was Fender Mustang Ranaldo, which can be seen in the band’s videos “Macbeth and “Mary Christ”. Each of the stolen instruments was rebuilt by the members of Sonic Youth in order to make them sound in some special way. Particularly, Lee is famous for playing his guitar with the help of srewdrivers and drum sticks. Nevertheless, ten years later one person from Holland under the name of Sauerkraut had purchased the guitar on eBay, which later turned to be Lee’s. He immediately contacted Sonic Youth and confirmed a meeting with them to return this precious instrument. As a reward that guy is going to get a unique privilege to see the band at any concert he would like to visit following the VIP status.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

Alice Returns to Wonderland

American band Alice in Chains is getting ready to release the first album in fourteen years, said Rolling Stone. This band was quiet for so long that nobody could expect them to get out of nowhere right now, but music is calling Alice to come out and see the wonderland again. Most likely the Virgin/EMI record label will be the one to sustain this release in September 2009. The exact date of the release is not known yet. Also, it’s not known what name they’re going to give to this new album. In 2005 the band had hired a new vocalist William Duval who came in there to replace a former singer Lane Staley. Lane had died in his home in 2002 due to the drugs overdose, and the band spent some time in order to find someone who could be equal to him. Before joining Alice in Chains Duval used to participate in the project called Comes With the Fall, which was formed in 1999 and released five studio albums. As the guys from Alice in Chains believe the new album which was going through some serious recording process since October 2008 will allow them to come back to the world of music and may enable the band to restore it’s position within the most popular bands in the world.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

Unexpected Performance

Lately Blur guitarist Graham Coxon had performed at one of the London’s pubs, said New Musical Express. This performance is also related to the recent Blur’s plans to reunite. Coxon’s presence at The Spread Eagle pub on Saturday, April 25 was particularly cool due to it’s momentous happening – no one could expect him to come out and play over there. Certainly those who have visited that pub were quite amazed and will remember it for the rest of their lives. Coxon had played seven songs from his upcoming solo album “The Spinning Top” (it’s release is planned for May 11). Among those songs that he played at the pub NME is particularly noting “If You Want Me”. Possibly it’s going to be the next single. Here is the full set of songs that could be heard at The Spread Eagle – "This House"
"In The Morning"
"If You Want Me"
"Perfect Love"
"Brave The Storm"
"Dead Bees"
"Sorrows Army"
Besides that Coxon was performing together with some unknown bassist and drummer. NME is also noting that the concert had attracted a lot of people from streets, so those who were not able to get in just kept on watching from the outside. Coxon looked very happy and nice to everyone, he read a lot of poetry accompanying it with numerous jokes.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

Not A Minute Longer

Organizers of the Coachella music festival, which took place on 17–19 of April in California will be fined for violating public order, said Prefix. As the local police representatives say, they could keep the stage open only until 12pm and those who are responsible for the concert were warned about such consequences. Every minute of extra performance will cost them $1000. Anyone can understand the reality of bureaucracy that rules over such events as concerts, but each time when it happens the whole idea behind the music and art gets seriously damaged. The first day was finished by Paul McCartney’s performance who kept on playing for fifty more minutes. Those who trully like music, especially if it was performed by Sir Paul should not really care about charging extra dollars. However, they always keep on saying the same stuff like law is above all and forget about everything else. The last day of Coachella was also marked by another incident of this sort which caused The Cure to play without any electricity. The Cure of course was not respected as much as McCartney, plus nobody wished to pay for them. Nevertheless, it’s always rude when bands have to obey and shut themselves from the crowd over some senseless security people.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

Bonnaroo Rocks With Byrne

British musician David Byrne had become a curator of the eighth International (annual) music festival Bonnaroo, which is going to take place between 11–14 of June in Tennessee, US. All this information can be seen on the festival’s official web site. Byrne promotes a lot of new bands and generally speaking acts as someone who pushes creativity forward. Due to his activities this year’s event incorporates Santigold, Dirty Projectors, Katzenjammer, Ani DiFranco and Annie Clark who is better known as St. Vincent. Practically, David makes it very exciting because of his love of many musical styles, numerous variations of sound and good communication skills. “It was very logical to appoint David – his love of all musical styles and his knowledge of how to get his favourite music to the listener turn him into someone absolutely special”, said the president of Bonnaroo, and festivals co-organizer (A.C. Entertainment) Ashley Capps. Following David Byrne’s own words his method of choosing bands is very simple, he invites only those groups which he personally saw somewhere during the life performance. In addition to the list above people who will go to this year’s Bonnaroo may also see Bruce Springsteen, Beastie Boys, Nine Inch Nails, Wilco, The Mars Volta, TV On The Radio, Yeah Yeah, Yeahs, Public Enemy and many more.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

The Cure Without Electricity

The Cure was literally forced to perform and so to speak successfully finish their concert without any electricity, said NME. This incident took place during their live performance at the Coachella music festival on April 19. Practically, if the band can keep on playing even after electricity goes down it means that musicians can handle some serious challenges. The Cure had already played twenty nine songs when the concert organizers have warned them and asked to finish their performance. At that moment the band’s leader Robert Smith had shared some bad words with the crowd and began to play “Boys Don’t Cry”. They definitely didn’t care about rules and regulations by showing some serious rock n’ roll attitude. Two minutes later organizers have decided to use some pressue and turned down the electricity, but it did not stop Smith and his band from playing. “Jumping Someone Else’s Train” and “Grindng Halt” were played in the acoustic version, so only those who stood right next to the stage could hear it. Pretty nice concert after all, real rock n’ roll and a lot of “I don’t give a f…” to those who organize concert events. This performance had finished the three-day festival, which annually takes place at the California’s Coachella valley since 1999. The only exception was in 2000 when the festival was cancelled due to some financial problems.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

Billy Corgan Invites Everybody

American band The Smashing Pumpkins began to take auditions in order to hire a new drummer instead of Jimmy Chamberlin who has left them in the end of March. System Of A Down drummer John Dolmaian also took his chance to participate in this process, said The Smashing Pumpkins official web site. Twelve musicians have visited the first session which took place just a few days ago in Los Angeles. Due to the fact that the band’s leader Billy Corgan had received too many offers from a numerous number of musicians, The Smashing Pumpkins guys are thinking about organizing another audition in May that will allow them to get the final result. Besides System Of A Down Dolmaian is also well known for his presence in Axis of Justice, Scars on Broadway and Serj Tankian’s solo project. In 2006 John Dolmaian was declared to be a drummer of the year by a Drum! magazine. Jimmy Chamberlin had explained his decision by the loss of interest in what The Smashing Pumpkins is doing today. At the same time he keeps on denying traditional for the music world misunderstandings that could appear between him and his former bandmates. In the upcoming time he is planning to stay with his own group Jimmy Chamberlin Complex.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

Not Only Music

British soul singer Amy Winehouse keeps on bringing more news. Recently, she said that it’s in her upcoming plans to write a book for children, noted Monsters & Critics. As this news source says, Winehouse has decided to write with the help of her collegue Pete Doherty (The Babyshambles). He told her that writing poetry will enable a lot of new artistic qualities and feelings. “Amy’s been stimulated since living in St. Lucia. She loves the chilled out atmosphere and has found it has encouraged her to write again,” said one of those who is closely related to her. Right after Doherty told Amy to start writing poetry she thinks about releasing a book first, which will discuss her tough artistic life. In other words it’s going to be a good practice before she may continue on something more serious. However, what she is already planning sounds quite important anyway. Writing poetry for children is way more sophisticated and no one knows yet when she is going to begin to fulfill this plan, but she promises that one day it’s going to happen. Currently, Winehouse is planning to buy a house in St. Lucia in order to stay away from London because “it influences her in the negative way”.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

Chronic Breaks It All

Recently, British soul singer Amy Winehouse and the infamous rapper Snoop Dogg were not able to record two songs together. As rumours say they’ve spent the whole day at the studio and simply smoked too much weed, so any kind of work was impossible, notes Gigwise. Smoking made them too relaxed, and eventually nothing could be done to record anything new. Sounds pretty funny, for sure these two had some terrific fun together, but it’s also interesting to find out who was actucally able to drag this information. Maybe they were not trying to hide it too much? Gigwise is not possessing absolutely clear information on what they’ve actually smoked or drank, but anyone knows that Snoop is into smoking and at his presence nothing else is being tried except weed. Winehouse is not getting behind and her notorious behaviour including smoking of that stuff is quite well known. As the above news source says both musicians began to record music, but soon after found themselves making some short chronic breaks, so eventually they could not finish what they’ve started. So far there is no data on when they’ll come back to work again. Lately, Amy’s record label asked her to edit some songs that she made up for the upcoming release. On the other hand Snoop is working with his new album “Malice in Wonderland”.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

AC/DC Said "No"

Guys from AC/DC have told their fans that they did not sign any agreements to headline the Romanian Bucharest Rock Arena festival, said New Musical Express. They’ve stated that festival’s organizers were speaking out on AC/DC’s participation before consulting them, so they are not going to take any part during this event. It should be pretty sad for their Romanian fans, but also festival organizers had to worry about it earlier, hence band’s like AC/DC can’t just get up and go anywhere without their any agreement. At this moment there is some clear information that Bucharest Rock Arena festival was cancelled, notes Blabbermouth. It had to take place on May 30/31 this year near the Romania’s capital city. Usually this event attracts up to 70 thousand people not only from Romania, but also from other parts of the EU and closely located countries as well. Previously, on Tuesday they’ve performed in London at the infamous O2 Arena and currently the band is getting prepared for the grand tour, which is going to be launched in support of their latest album “Black Ice”. Good chance for those who have missed them in Bucharest by the way. AC/DC is one of those unstoppable bands that keep on rocking despite their age, time and anything what may stand on their path.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

Such Combinations Always Work

Legendary David Lynch had created the animated video for Moby’s song “Shot In The Back Of The Head”. For real, not less famous Moby and his majesty David Lynch have composed the greatest combination ever and currently anyone can visit Pitchfork site to see what they’ve created: http://pitchfork.com/tv/#/musicvideo/966-moby-shot-in-the-back-of-the-head-mute  Starting with April 15 “Shot In The Back Of The Head” is going to be available for free on Moby’s official web site. This song will be the first single from the new Moby’s album “Wait For Me”, which is going to be released on June 30. This record as the previous one (“Last Night”) was made up at his home studio in New York. A lot of local musicians which are not very well known in public were built into the process of making this new record, so everyone expects trully cool innovations. Ken Thomas who used to co-work with Sigur Ros, Throbbing Gristle and M83 was taking some important part in producing of “Wait For Me”. Here is the full track list of it: Division
Pale Horses
Shot In The Back Of The Head
Study War
Walk With Me
Stock Radio
Mistake
Scream Pilots
Jltf 1
Jltf
A Seated Night
Wait For Me
Hope Is Gone
Ghost Return
Slow Light
Isolate

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

"Chinese Democracy" And Remixes

Guns N’Roses leader Axl Rose is planning to release remixes album which is based on songs from “Chinese Democracy”, said Blabbermouth. Originally this information was given out to a Modern Drummer magazine by Guns N’Roses drummer Brian Mantia. However, his interview will be published only in May this year. It’s very interesting to know what kind of other sounds will be added and how these remixes should sound if Axl decides to make them more electronic. Traditionally, this band is keeping it with the classic sound, but times are changing and everyone wants to experiment. In addition to this, Mantia had already created a club remix to a song “Shackler’s Revenge” which was fully accepted by Rose. Nevertheless, so far there is no clear information on when this album will be released, and hopefully it will not take fifteen years. Usually Axl is not making fast moves while releasing something new, he keeps on waiting and seems to be worried about keeping it secret until the actual release takes place. It’s still very hard to imagine Guns N’Roses and club remixes…

This band’s sixth studio album came out in November last year and took fifteen years to get produced. During that time Axl Rose kept on changing his band’s lineup while making some sporadic concerts in Las Vegas. Despite good critic’s judgements “Chinese Democracy” could not reach number one on the British or American music charts.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

Serj Tankian Needs Obama's Support

Ex-System of a Down singer Serj Tankian had started a political campaign which is going to ask the US authorities to recognize the  Armenian Genocide that took place in the Ottoman Empire during the First World War, said Blabbermouth. Tankian’s appeal is dedicated to the civil rights violations victims’ memory day (April 24). This campaign also includes Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine) and Tankian’s side project Axis of Justice. One of the major parts of this campaign is a video clip in which Serj and his collegues (including congressman Adam Schiff) ask the US president Barak Obama to make the world officially accept the fact that there was a Genocide of Armenians in 1915. Also, Tankian asks viewers to keep on asking the White House and Obama to “end the international ignorance towards this historical tragedy” that took place during the first quarter of the XX century. In his video Tankian had stated that “Barak Obama is the only American president who can actually change this situation to the better and make some significant influence on the international community”. Besides that, Tankian wrote a big article where he explains in details why he is so worried about this topic, why there is no reason to stop such campaign and why he trusts Obama.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

Woodstock Reinvented

In dedication to the 40th anniversary of Woodstock music festival everyone should waiting for the release of a documentary, said ClashMusic. Filming process, which shall receive the name of “Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace And Music” actually took place during the time of the original Woodstock festival in August 1969. The original version of it was directed by Michael Wadleigh in 1970, but due to the 40th anniversary this movie will be re-released and probably enhanced. Besides classic performances by Jimi Hendrix, The Who and Johnny Mitchell the new version should incorporate some other material which was not included in the previous release. So far the new variation adds on Paul Butterfield and Johnny Winter, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Grateful Dead and Mountain. Truthfully speaking, the old version left out a lot of absolutely brilliant artists and it will be super great to see them on the new one. It is also very interesting to know that all these additional footages were never included in any other movie about Woodstock. The whole documentary should be out there on June 15 this year, only two months before the line of concerts that will start during this August in New York and Berlin. Currently, anyone who wants to pre-order such a historical documentary can simply go to Amazon.com and make it all happen in one minute.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

Jon Birgisson Releases Riceboy Sleeps

Sigur Ros vocalist and guitarist Jon Torg Birgisson sort of left his post-rock agenda and had recorded the new album “Riceboy Sleeps”. It lasts for 68 minutes and was characterized as very close to be ambient. Jon is a talented musician and practically everything he is doing turns to be trully artistic. This record is a product of the joint collaboration between Birgisson and Alex Somers, the guy with whom he wrote a book “Riceboy Sleeps” in 2006. This fancy edition was absolutely limited to one thousand issues. Also, both artists were making a lot of art expos under the same title.

String quartet Amiina and Kopavogsdaetur choir took some important part in the production of the album. So, here is the full track list:  "Happiness"
"Atlas Song"
"Indian Summer"
"Stokkseyri"
"Boy 1904"
"All The Big Trees"
"Daniell In The Sea"
"Howl"
"Sleeping Giant"

A song “Happiness” was previously included in the “Dark Was The Night” collection, which incorporated Arcade Fire, Sufjan Stevens, Anthony Hegarty from Anthony and the Johnsons and many others. The release is planned for July 2009 on Parlophone Records. The last Sigur Ros studio work – “Med sud i Eyrum vid spilum endalaust” was released in June 2008 and was able to appear on British, Italian and Norwegian top 10 music charts.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

Two Legends, One More Album

Paul McCartney is planning to record the new album together with Ringo Starr, said Monsters & Critics. These guys did not create together in a long time, in many ways due to the fact that all the early days of creativity stay in the past. However, it’s absolutely interesting to find out what they’re thinking today, and how things can be put together again. The last two generals in The Beatles’ army cannot simply record some kind of boring or strange material, it should be something to stay and not to leave. On April 4 McCartney and Starr have performed at the charity concert in New York for the first time in seven years. The concert was meant to support David Lynch foundation and particularly on the side of Starr and McCartney it was dedicated to John Lennon and George Harrison. Monsters and Critics issue possesses some clear information that after this performance both guys are constantly thinking about doing something together, particularly it’s all about writing something new. Recording sessions should begin a little bit later in 2009, but maybe they’re already on the way. The last time when Ringo Starr had co-worked with McCartney was in 1997 when they’ve recorded “Flaming Pie”. Particularly, Ringo sang in “Really Love You” and “Beautiful Night”. So, let’s see what these two “monsters” of rock n’ roll culture will do this time.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

Stereolab Will Come Back Later

British indie-group Stereolab took an immediate decision to leave some of their music related activities for the permanent period of time, said the band’s official web site. Musicians did not mention any exact dates of their return to what they’re doing the best, particularly underlining that this move is not going to last forever. In other words they’re planning to come back sometimes later. “As we recently made No.51 with Emperor Tomato Ketchup (it was released in 1996) in the Amazon 100 Greatest Indie Rock Albums of all Time we feel that our work is done for the moment,” says their public message. Besides that, Stereolab had cancelled two shows that were planned for this year. Musicians have apologized to those who wished to visit them, and of course will compensate money spent on tickets. Currently, they’re noting that Duophonic music label (band’s business partner for more than 10 years) should release their new album called “Chemical Chords 2”. This album is a unique continuation of “Chemical Chords” that was released in 2008. Also, the band is thinking about re-releasing some of their records and focus on the new projects. They’ve promised to keep on working with their web site in order to inform everybody on everything what happens with them today. So it’s definitely not the end of the game.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

Webber Is Against Piracy

Famous British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber said that the modern level of development of a lot of file sharing networks is the reason why there is no bands like The Beatles, notes The Daily Telegraph. As he believes, talented groups don’t have an opportunity to develop themselves due to the high level of piracy that exists within these file sharing networks. “Somalia of unregulated theft and piracy”, he told the press. In many ways he is absolutely right, the level of stealing and copyright violations is pumping out with totally unprecedented proportions, so new musicians get stuck out there. He also noted, “It is estimated that 7.3 million people in the UK – 28% of the online population – are now engaged in illegal peer-to-peer file sharing, a figure that is projected to rise to 8.7 million by 2012 if action is not taken”. The only problem is in the methods of control and monitoring that should be implemented within the Internet. It is something what cannot be regulated without harsh punishments or serious online search limitations. Such limitations will definitely squeeze local providers, IP addresses and general users, something what may create a lot of personal or legal issues. “People have just got into the habit of talking glibly about content providers as though they were some sort of optional part of the process,” added Webber.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

More Of Tori Amos

Tori Amos had finished working with her tenth studio album, said New Musical Express. The release is planned on May 18, 2009 and it’s called “Abnormally Attracted To Sin”, there you go girl, no little or funny names, only the realistic perception of life that she sees all the way around. Tori’s heavy feelings about this life were always in her art, so she keeps on moving once again. When discussing her new album Amos has noted that while working with the new album she was inspired to create something very real. “I wanted to make a treasure, something people will value,” were her exact words. A song “Welcome To England” will become the first single and should appear in music stores on May 25. All together “Abnormally Attracted To Sin” shall include 18 compositions, plus one bonus track which will be incorporated into the British release version. Here is the full track list: "Give"
"Welcome To England"
"Strong Black Vine"
"Flavour"
"Not Dying Today"
"Maybe California"
"Curtain Call"
"Fire To Your Plain"
"Police Me"
"That Guy"
"Abnormally Attracted To Sin"
"500 Miles"
"Mary Jane"
"Starling"
"Fast Horse"
"Ophelia"
"Lady In Blue"
"Oscar's Theme" (bonus)

Generally speaking, “Abnormally Attracted To Sin” will be released in many versions, and of course DVD format must be out there right away.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

YouTube Gets Blocked Again

YouTube had blocked all German users from getting music which is produced in Germany by local artists due to a failure to make some business deal with the German organization responsible for the copyright law – GEMA, said Gigwise. Another scandal surrounding YouTube, what can be worse for this video service which loses it’s positions in quality standards to numerous services of this kind all around the world. At least before arguing with anyone on the business issues they have to make their own video service grow higher in terms of interface, some strange censorship values and the wide screen projection. However, hence they’re the first ones, people still believe that YouTube is the best, so do copyright organizations and as the result of it only they get blocked. The previous agreement made between Google (YouTube’s owner) and GEMA was signed in 2007 to last for one and a half years. Currently, GEMA had demanded to get a share of one Euro cent per a single view, but YouTube did not suport such a measure. Simply, YouTube believes that it would be impossible to cover these expanses through advertisment and wants to remain with the old system when they’ve paid some fixed price.

On March 9 YouTube had announced that it will block a lot of British videos due to the same argument, but back than it was PRS – The Performing Rights Society.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com

Bad Company Shall Visit You

Ex-Bad Company vocalist Paul Rodgers who is currently performing with the legendary Queen had announced his wish to reunite with his band in order to organise a tour in around the U.S. Nobody was actucally thinking that Bad Company may come back in any shape or form, but Rodgers surely misses his old days. Billboard says that from June 17 to July 4 Bad Company will give ten concerts in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, New York, Michigan and New Jersey. Besides Rodgers the original Bad Company lineup includes only Mick Ralphs and Simon Kirk. Place of the dead Boz Burrell will be taken by Lynn Sorenson, and Howard Lees should perform as the second guitarist, hence both of them are currently supporting Paul in his solo career. The Doobie Brothers should participate in the opening act during each live performance in the upcoming tour. Again, it’s always very nice to see some old faces reuniting, coming back and generally speaking looking at them while they rock as if today was only the beginning of their music careers. Paul Rodgers turned to be the only guy who was actually able to replace Mercury and make Queen get back on the scene, this is a very special accomplishment too.

Bad Company had already came back for one concert last year at the Seminole Hard Rock casino in Florida. Possibly that performance gave them some artistic push in order to get Bad Company going again.

A Source: ThatsJustMusic.com