Smashing Pumpkins Reunion??
Yeah we know, it seems like there have been rumblings about this forever, but it seems as if a new record being recorded under the Smashing Pumpkins name is finally officially in the works. So far the band only includes Corgan and drummer Billy Chamberlin, but apparently replacement bassist Melissa Auf De Mar has offered her services as well.
I dunno, I still say Zwan was cool
And the Winner is…
The 2006 Plug Independent Music Awards were held this week at Webster Hall, headlined by indie darlings the National. Here’s how they turned out:
Album of the Year: Sufjan Stevens – Illinois
Artist of the Year: Bright Eyes
New Artist of the Year: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Song of the Year: Bright Eyes – “When The President Talks To God”
Female Artist of the Year: Neko Case
Male Artist of the Year: Surfjan Stevens
Hip-Hop Album of the Year: Dangerdoom – The Mouse And The Mask
Punk Album of the Year: Sleater-Kinney – The Woods
Metal Album of the Year: Fantômas – Suspended Animation
Electronic/Dance Album of the Year: M83 – Before The Dawn Heals Us
Americana Album of the Year: Iron & Wine/Calexico - In The Reins
Indie Rock Album of the Year: Bloc Party – Silent Alarm
DJ Album of the Year: DJ Shadow – One Night In Bangkok
Avant Album of the Year: Animal Collective - Feels
Record Label of the Year: Sub Pop
Live Act of the Year: Arcade Fire
Music Festival of the Year: Coachella
Record Producer of the Year: Dangermouse
Music Video of the Year: The Decemberists – “16 Military Wives”
Album Art/Packaging of the Year: Surfjan Stevens – Illinois
As you can see, no big surprises here
Coachella Lineup Announced
Another year, another extremely awesome festival held in 100 degree heat we won’t be going to…
Saturday, April 29:
Depeche Mode, Franz Ferdinand, Sigur Ros, Common, Damian Marley, Atmosphere, Carl Cox, My Morning Jacket, Ladytron , Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Tosca, Cat Power, Animal Collective, Hard-Fi, Derrick Carter, Devendra Banhart, She Wants Revenge, The Walkmen, The Juan Maclean, Audio Bullys, Imogen Heap, Lady Sovereign, Deerhoof, The Duke Spirit, Editors, stellastarr*, Lyrics Born, Matt Costa, The New Amsterdams, The Zutons, Platinum Pied Pipers, White Rose Movement, Chris Liberator, Colette, Joey Beltram, Hybrid, Wolfmother, The Like, Living Things, Nine Black Alps, The Section Quartet, Infadels, Youth Group, Shy FX & T Power, Infusion
Sunday, April 30:
Tool, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Bloc Party, Paul Oakenfold, Scissor Sisters, Matisyahu, James Blunt, TV on the Radio, Sleater-Kinney , Mogwai, Coheed and Cambria, Gnarls Barkley, Coldcut, Phoenix, Digable Planets, Amadou & Mariam, Little Louie Vega, Mylo (DJ Set), Seu Jorge, Wolf Parade, The Go! Team, Kaskade, Metric, Art Brut, Dungen, The Dears, Jamie Lidell, The Magic Numbers, Los Amigos Invisibles, Jazzanova, Michael Mayer, Mates of State, Gilles Peterson, Gabriel & Dresden, The Subways, Minus the Bear, Be Your Own Pet, Giant Drag, Kristina Sky, The Octopus Project
Bonnaroo 2006 Lineup Announced
It’s that time of year again. Here are higlights from the just-revealed Bonnaroo 2006 lineup, scheduled for June 16th-18th.
Radiohead
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Phil Lesh & Friends
Beck
Elvis Costello & the Imposters
Bonnie Raitt
Death Cab for Cutie
moe.
Bright Eyes
The Neville Brothers
Bela Fleck & the Flecktones
Buddy Guy
Damian Marley
Ben Folds
Robert Randolph & the Family Band
Dr. John
Matisyahu
G. Love & Special Sauce
My Morning Jacket
Mike Gordon and Ramble Dove
Cat Power
Medeski Martin & Wood
Gomez
Atmosphere
Steve Earle
Blues Traveler
Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks
Dresden Dolls
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Soulive
Rusted Root
Devendra Banhart Band
Mike Doughty
Sasha
The Magic Numbers
Dungen
Shooter Jennings
dios (malos)
Balkan Beat Box
Top NYC shows of 2005
Check out Ohmyrockness.com’s picks for the best shows of 2005, as well as readers’ picks. We can boast having had representatives at several of the reader’s picks shows, including Arcade Fire at Summerstage, Decemberists at Warsaw, New Pornographers at Webster Hall, and White Stripes at Keyspan Park. We’re all looking forward to a danktastic new year of shows. That being said, the best Dankster shows of 2005 would most definitely have included NIN at MSG as well as Cream.
Top 50 videos of 2005 with links to watch them
Over at DoCopenhagen, they have a list of the top 50 muisc videos of 2005. Very cool considering that you can acutally watch them all on the site.
Watch this guy play the mario theme on a 11 string bass
This guy rules
Watch this guy play the Super mario brothers theme on an 11 string chapman bass. It looks like its filmed in some dorm study lounge or rec room of some sort.
Who’ll Get the Grammy?
Ok so we all know the Grammys completely blow goat nuts but, what the hell? Here’s a list of the bands nominated for Best Alternative Album this year:
Beck – Guero
Death Cab For Cutie – Plans
The Arcade Fire – Funeral
Franz Ferdinand – You Could Have It So Much Better
The White Stripes – Get Behind Me Satan
We guess it’ll be Beck, but then again we won’t be watching and don’t really care.
Gorillaz LIVE at the MTV Music Awards
Here’s something cool we found. As previously reported, the cartoon band Gorillaz are set to break new technological ground by appearing on stage in 3D holographic format, although due to financial and creative technicalities, the trek will not take place until 2007. Although 2007 is a year away, they decided to test out the technology live on stage at the MTV Music awards! They use a combo of holograms on a screen and real people to create a really cool effect.
Check out the video here! (you need quicktime)
Unisex Salon Breaches the Red Curtain
MTV China showed up to video tape Unisex Salon’s set at Sin-e last night. Although there were no interviews conducted, there was plenty of footage taken of pseudo-hipsters milling about outside.
The band will head to MTV next month to conduct an interview for air on various MTV world stations, particularly China and Korea. As such, co-lead singer Gina Lee’s ethnicity will likely be a focal point. The Salon’s soon to be released video for “A Little Bit” will run in conjunction with the interview.
The Strokes are About as Cutting Edge as a Spork
Don’t get us wrong, we at Dankster are (somewhat) proud Strokes fans. Still, when this open casting call for the new video came out, we just had to poke some fun. Also, keep in mind the call is scheduled for the most serious Jewish holiday of the year. Julian an antisemite? The investigation is open…
Seeking featured talent for the new Strokes video shooting this weekend.
IMPORTANT: The video is cutting edge and we are looking for talent
that is comfortable with getting physical on set. Do not submit if you are uncomfortable making-out with members of the same/opposite sex (depending on scene).
Please denote the role you want to be considered for.
LESBIANS, 20s-30’s, “Victoria Secret†model-type lesbians, prefer Caucasian.
The scene involves kissing and being affectionate with another woman.
** Prefer REAL?Couple** – must have someone to audition with
HEROINE CHIQ HIPSTER MALE, Caucasian, 20’s-30’s (reference: Nick Stahl in “Bullyâ€Â)
The scene involves an aggressive make-out session in a taxi with
another female.
GAY MALE COUPLE Good-looking, East-village type exhibitionist males,
20’s-30’s, any ethnicity.
The scene involves an aggressive make-out session between to males.
** Prefer REAL?Couple** – must have someone to audition with
GRAFFITI ARTIST street-punk skater guy, any ethnicity, 20s-30’s
Must be real Graffiti artist
HOT COUPLE, male and female, mid-20’s, must be hot, sexy, rock n’
roll, downtown hipster.
The scene involves an aggressive make-out session between the couple.
** Prefer REAL?Couple** – must have someone to audition with
If interested or available, please submit recent photo and contact
information to:
[email redacted  you don’t seriously want to try out for this, do you?]
Auditions: Thurs. Oct. 13 (Yom Kippur)
Callbacks: Possibly Fri. Oct. 14
Shoots: Sunday Oct. 16 and/or Monday Oct. 17 (could be a night shoot
for Monday)
Location: NYC
Rate: $200
Submission Deadline: Oct. 15, 2005
Complete CMJ Showcase Schedule
Find it
here
Cream to play NYC in October!
(September 6, 2005, New York, NY) — On the heels of four hugely successful nights at London’s Royal Albert Hall and after much speculation, the eagerly anticipated Cream reunion lands in New York for three exclusive nights at Madison Square Garden. In what will be one of the must see shows of this decade and their only appearance in the U.S., legendary rock group, Cream – Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton, – will play Madison Square Garden October 24th, 25th, 26th, 2005.
Also this Fall, Rhino Home Video and Reprise Records release the bands‘ triumphant reunion performances at London’s Royal Albert Hall on DVD and CD. The London shows were brilliantly captured on HD and 5.1 surround sound. More information on these titles will be forthcoming.
Cream formed in 1966 and disbanded in 1968. In just under three years the band produced three seminal studio albums, ‘Fresh Cream’ (1966), ‘Disraeli Gears’ (1967) and ‘Wheels of Fire’ (1968) and secured worldwide acclaim and commercial success with their unique take on electrified blues. The band were a prolific and thrilling live act and toured incessantly in their short but remarkable history. Prior to the Royal Albert Hall shows, the last time the band played together was in 1993 when the group was inaugurated into the Rock and Roll Hall Of fame in Los Angeles.
These shows will be produced by Ron Delsener Presents and tickets will be available in advance to American Express cardmembers.
Ticket On-Sale Information
Tickets will go on-sale first to American Express cardmembers through a special pre-sale, beginning Monday, September 12th at 9am. Tickets can be purchased via ticketmaster.com and there will be a 4 ticket per person limit.
If tickets remain, they will then go on-sale to the general public on Monday, September 19, 2005.
CBGBs Could Be Gone For Good
Success in court not withstanding, CBGB owner announced last week at a benefit concert for the club held in Washington Square Park, that a lease agreement was not reached after all, and closing is inevitable. The concert was thrown by Little Steven Van Zandt and featured performances by Blondie, Public Enemy, and Gavin Rossdale’s new band, Institute. Little Stevie has vowed to keep fighting, but as of now things don’t look good for the house that Johnny built.
Invasion of the Bunnymen
New wave daddies, Echo and the Bunnymen, will make their triumphant return to the States this Fall, when they’ll be doing one show in NYC at Irving Plaza on November 20th. The band’s first studio release in years, entitled Siberia, will hit stores September 20th.
OMFUG, NY Judge saves CBGB’s!
Yesterday, a NY Judge found that CBGBs is a historical language and therefore does not have to pay the $90,000 dollars it apparently owed in back rent to its landlord.
The club owner says they were never billed or informed that the rent had been rising every year. CB’s will still have to work out a new lease with the landlord, but it looks like the club that birthed such origianal Ds as Blondie, the Talking Heads, and the Ramones, will live on after all.
The Bush Admnistration had no official comment to make but according to insiders Carl Rove was seen at his desk steepling his fingers and muttering “excellent” over and over again, so we can only assume a seal team will be dispatched soon enough to deal with those upity hipsters.
No word yet as to whether the bathrooms will finally be cleaned.
Sinead O’Connor Goes Crazy….I mean Reggae
Irish pop singer Sinead O’Connor says she has found solace in Jamaican music and the Rastafarian faith after recording her first reggae album on the Caribbean island.
The album includes covers of classic reggae protest songs such as Burning Spear’s "Throw Down Your Arms," Peter Tosh’s "Downpressor Man" and Bob Marley’s "War.”
She recorded the album in Kingston earlier this year with several top Jamaican musicians, including drummer Sly Dunbar, bassist Robbie Shakespeare, guitarist Mikey Chung and trombonist Nambo Robinson.
The album will be released by O’Connor’s Chocolate and Vanilla label.
Hey, at least shes not smoking crack yet.
More Cure In Store
The Cure will release a new full length sometime next Spring, Robert Smith announced recently at one of the band’s European summer sets. The Cure’s 2004 self-titled release was both critically aclaimed and commercially successful.
Clor
Check out the new self-titled Clor LP. You will not be disappointed.
CMJ 2005
Here is the lineup for the 25th annual CMJ 2005, taking place across New York City September 14-17. CMJ is a festival where all kinds of artists, established to unsigned, hip hop to rock, perform at dozens of clubs throughout the city. There are also panels, films, exhibits, and other events that can be attended. Purchase an all access pass and find out morehere.
There are way too many bands to list, so just check it out for yourself We assume more detailed venue info will appear later on.
The Bowery Presents: The Kaiser Chiefs at Webster Hall
One of the latest British rock sensations to sweep America, the Kaiser Chiefs, played at Webster Hall last week, so we sent a representative along to check it out. The scene was chill and relaxed. The doors opened at 7 and the Redwalls went on shortly after that. Considering that we have never heard any of the Redwalls music, we didn’t make it in time to see them perform. However, we did catch the next opener, The Cribs.
This power trio hails the UK as well and has just released a new album entitled The New Fellas. They sound like the fallout from a death match between Bloc Party and The Strokes. They kind of sound like “blur” meets… well whatever, it doesn’t matter because here are some links to some mp3s of their music and you can judge for yourself. Here , Here and Here
Anyway, we have been listening to the Kaiser Chief’s freshman effort, Employment, for quite some time now and we think it’s awesome. It manages to avoid being your typical pretentious Brit Rock. We have seen the Chiefs once before at a private acoustic set at SPIN magazine HQ in NYC and that was fucking dope. The songs really held up when played in an intimate setting with almost no amplification and very little percussion, which speaks volumes.
Still, it didn’t compare to seeing them fully hooked up at Webster Hall, which was brilliant. The volume was cranked and the band was really on point. They got the crowd moving (which is sometimes hard to do in NYC, fucking shoegazers) and it seemed that everyone knew at least some of the words. At one point the lead singer dove into the even dove. At one point he dedicated a song to some chick in the front row, and when it was time for the instrumental part, he brought her on stage and danced with her.
The singles from the album were big hits and got most of the crowd jumping up and down. We also got a chance to hear some of the new songs which remain unreleased, and they sounded very promising. Definitely check these out if you get the chance.
Dankster Rating: 8/10
CREAM Get The Money, Biotch
In what could prove to be an even more exciting collaboration than the previously reported-on Dangerdoom album, Wu-Tang Clan has announced a number of upcoming projects with members of the Indie Hip-Hop Community. The first will be called, Think Differently Music: Wu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture, featuring RZA, MF Doom, GZA, Rass Kass, Aesop Rock, Masta Killa, Del the Funky Homosapien, Sean Price, J Live, Tragedy Khadafi, C-Rayz Walz, RA the Rugged Man, Littles, Cannibal Ox, Sunz of Man, Royal Fam, and many more artists and producers. The first single, “Biochemical Equation,” will star Rza and MF Doom, and will be released in August, followed by the full album in October. Hot.
Dankster Expectation Level: 10/10
Sony Scam Outrage
Most people with any interest are aware of the unholy union between many terrestrial radio stations and major record companys, but this reality came to a head today with Sony BMG’s $10 million settlement over the company’s “payola” policy of bribing radio stations to give air play to a bunch of shitty musicians no one gives a flying fuck about. According to New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, “payola” is pervasive nationwide, with EMI Warner and Vivendi Universal also under investigation for similar crimes, along with some of the largest radio rober barrons, including Infinity Broadcasting, Entercom, and of course, the reviled Clear Channel. Some local stations that have been participating in the scam include Hot 97 and WPLJ.
By implementing the “payola” scheme, record companies were able to trick the charts and everyday listeners into thinking the songs being pushed were in high demand. Sony BMG even arranged to have people call in and enthusiastically request certain songs. When even these despicable practices failed, Sony would threaten to pull promotional support from radio stations unless certain songs were placed in the rotation. AG Spitzer has called on the FCC to come down hard on all those participating in the scam, but they’re probably too busy over there making sure the censorship inquisition is on schedule to pay any attention to what they were created for, which is to ensure competition and freedom on public airwaves. Today, almost all terrestrial radio waves are controlled by the three largest media companies in the industry, whose influence stretches throughout many other aspects of entertainment, including ticket sales, news media, and television.
But there is a bright side to al of this guys. The artists whose songs were being forced down our throats include (surprise) Jessica Simpson, Switchfoot, John Mayer, Good Charlotte, Gavin DeGraw, Avril Lavigne, Maroon 5, and Celine Dion. Hopefully this means that:first, even though it is impossible to escape the music of no talent douchebags, at least we can hope that their existence is only tolerated due to the mass media conspiracy existing in this country, and not entirely at least because of there being an actual fanbase; and second, that this scandal is characteristic of the final death rattle of the corrupted and decaying Music Industry as we know it.
So keep the faith. Keep listening to independent music, keep downloading songs, and keep supporting artists and indie labels by going to shows often and spreading the word about music you think is dank. Live for a future with no Sony, no Warner, no Clear Channel, no Grammy Awards, no $20 ticket fees, and no fucking Switchfoot.
Rock and roll bitches.
Menomena News update
The ultimate dankster band Menomena has made an announcement.
- our "Cough Coughing" video is FINALLY finished
- our second album is FINALLY finished
– we have a new 7" coming out on a great label from Champaign, IL
– one of our side projects has a new album coming out
This is awesome news and we CAN’T wait to get a copy of the album.