Monday Morning Newsletter (6/29/09)

How does one write an obit for Michael Jackson? José sees it this way: Suffice it to say he is possibly the most over-rated recording artist since Elvis. Popularity isn’t everything. Mayonnaise is popular, Wonderbread is popular. Kraft Macaroni & Cheese is popular. Most things with that level of near-universal popularity are utter shite. The man’s most popular two records were largely written by Quincy Jones. His most recent album Invincible came out 8 years ago and sold 2 million copies, barely a tenth of his album HIStory from 6 years earlier, that itself is a fraction of the 109 million that Thriller sold. He peaked early. He’d been on the way out for 20 years. His freaky self-mutilation kept him in the spotlight long after his 15 minutes were over. His claims to genius are arguable. The evidence for pedophile is much more convincing. More revolting is our instant lionizing of the publicly unrepentant pederast. He’ll share a room with Gary Glitter in hell.

In much more amusing news, Lemonheads lead vocalist Evan Dando is suing General Motors. His lawsuit claims that the automaker copied his 1992 single "It's A Shame About Ray" in an ad for Chevrolet and Buick. If you’ve seen the ad, you already know they are gonna lose bad. The Lemonheads will release their new album, Varshons, later this month.

José is way into this EP of down-tempo electronica by Mouse Kills Tiger. This LA-based trio kept it high and tight. They rock an uncharted region triangulated between Tommy Guerrero, Radiohead and Stellastar. Free Download HERE.

Billy Corgan has finally confirmed the identity of his new drummer. Replacing long-time smack-head Jimmy Chamberlin is 19-year-old Mike Byrne. Bryne is a Berklee College of Music freshman and former member of the Oregon-based band, Moses, Smell the Roses. He is already recording demos with Corgan.

Alice in Chains has gotten a tad more specific about their new album. The title has been revealed to be Black Gives Way To Blue and the record will drop September 29th. It will be their first album featuring new singer William DuVall and their first album of any kind in 10 years.

The Killers have stated that they intend to record an album of cover songs this fall. Singer Brandon Flowers stated that they were talking about covering songs by Joe Cocker, Billy Squire, The Baja Marimba Band and even Grover Washington Jr.

And on a lesser note, Phish have announced some details on their supposed “comeback” album. José askes: Come back to what? The 10-song album Joy was was recorded with producer Steve Lillywhite. Trey Anastasio stated “We played one long noodling riff over and over and over till everybody left the room.”

HOLY CRAP Oxford Collapse broke up. Their last two shows will be July 17 and 18 in Hoboken and New York. The bands official statement reads: After eight years, 450 shows, and four albums, we’ve decided that we’ve reached the end of the line. To paraphrase the Grateful Dead, “what a long, strange, eye-opening, stomach-bursting, heart-breaking, bittersweet, educational, enlightening, mind-numbing… absurd, amazing trip it’s been.” Damn.

Monday Morning Newsletter (9/9/08)

It’s been a very political week in what will surely be a political year. McCain managed to find some hot redneck babe in Alaska who was more conservative than himself and more tied to oil companies. Obama picked a dude as old and white as McCain. Hell, the police riot on the first day of the RNC was way bigger than the one at the RATM show. Jose says when in doubt vote brown.

The singers of the band Heart, Ann and Nancy Wilson, have issued a cease-and-desist letter to the RNC. They are demanding the RNC cease all use of the song "Barracuda". Apparently the Republican campaign did not ask for permission to use the song… again. If you recall they went through this just a few weeks ago with artist Jackson Browne. I guess he’s having a senior moment.

Travis Stever, guitarist for Coheed And Cambria, will be releasing his solo project Davenport Cabinet on Equal Vision. The CD mixed by Mike Major Sparta, Nostalgia In Stereo will be released on October 14, 2008.

After five years of lawyers stealing all the money, Great White will pay out $1 million to settle it’s remaining lawsuits. If you recall in 2003, 100 people died at Rhode Island nightclub fire including the group's own guitarist, Ty Longley. The blaze was started by stage pyrotechnics igniting soundproofing foam on the ceiling. Earlier this year, the town of West Warwick and the state of Rhode Island agreed to pay $10 million for each victim to settle all claims of negligence. When you burn the club down nobody remembers the opening band.

Kim Kardashian said last week on the E! satellite radio show that she would like to try her hand at singing. I quote: "I would be down, if it was something fun. I love music, so it would just have to be the right thing." On the upside this puts her that one-step closer to the nude pictorial / career comeback.

Fallen British rock star and pederast Gary Glitter is on the loose! Glitter, real name Paul Gadd, has been freed from a Vietnamese prison after completing his three-year sentence for the most recent time he was convicted of molesting two young girls. Glitter, now 63, was arrested back in November of 2005 at Ho Chi Minh airport trying to flee the country. He has announced his intention to return to the UK. Keep your eyes out for a touchy feely guy that looks like James Carville but with huge white shoulder pads.

The Osmonds are back as well! I’m not sure what’s more terrifying extreme wholesomeness or abject pedophilia. Donny and Marie Osmond are about to begin a 26-week stretch in Las Vegas. Their run at the Flamingo Showroom starts tomorrow. This will be their first stretch in sin city in 29 years. Don’t we all miss the days when the town was run by mobsters not baby boomers.

Los Angeles businessman Allan Brown is suing Kiss front man Gene Simmons for fraud and slander. Brown further accuses Simmons of excluding him from a marketing deal with the Indy Racing League. The lawsuit claims that Brown played a key role in negotiating the agreement whereas Simmons only wrote their theme song "I Am Indy.” Those MBAs get so jealous when they’re jilted.

Scott Weiland has announced to release his 2^nd solo album. The CD, titled Happy, finds a release on Weiland's vanity label Softdrive. The disc should land November 18^th, a full decade after the smack-head put out 12 Bar Blues, his previous solo effort. Jose admits the thing was under-rated.

Speaking of under-rated, Alice In Chains has announced plans to enter the recording studio this October. They will be starting work on their first album of new material with vocalist William DuVall. DuVall replaces Layne Staley who was also a little smack-head who died in 2002 of an overdose. In the intervening six years Jerry Cantrell tried his hand at vocals which was an equally bad idea.