07
Oct
2003
· Expanding his video background to feature-length film direction, Steven Hanft has created Southlander, a quirky, homespun production drawn from passed-down tall tales and quirky anecdotes found among the struggling Los Angeles musician community.
Subtitled The Diary of a Desperate Musician, the film is named for the imaginary Southlander classified newspaper, serving as the bible of the gear-swappin' and -hockin' musician culture. The film stars Dazed & Confused's Rory Cochrane as the hapless Chance, searching for a pearl-white 1969 Moletron, an elusive keyboard that keeps slipping through his hands. Plenty of musicians and other pop-culture icons show up in speaking, singing, and other cameo roles, from Beth Orton to Elliott Smith to the humble Beck helping out with the search. As the director of Beck's "Loser" and more than 70 other video clips, Hanft often ventures from the story into psychedelic musical sequences and kitschy backdrops, like the crib of aging funk superstar Motherchild, played by Welcome Back Kotter's Lawrence Hilton Jacobs III. Also too weird for words is Hank Williams III and his role as junkyard scamp and master of a 30-foot-tall, fire-breathing, car-crunching robotic T-Rex. Look for this cult contender on video shelves next week bearing the Eclectic Distribution imprint.
· Indie sensation British Sea Power is soon to close its growing list of nominations for inclusion in the upcoming seven-inch single "Remember Me." Pressed in a limited edition of 2,003 copies, each single's sleeve will be hand-inscribed with the name of someone special enough to make the list. Fan-submitted nominees so far include the notable, such as James Osterberg, Leadbelly, and Antoine de Saint Exupery, as well as beloved family and friends. Don't fret if your pick isn't someone famous; jump on board at (mail@roywilkinson.demon.co.uk) and tell the band why your nominee's name should be included.
· Guided by Voices is releasing a new import-only CD single this week, "The Best of Jill Hives," featuring two non-LP gems: the Doug Gillard-penned "Free of This World" and a cover of Cheap Trick's "I'm Downed." The full title of the band's upcoming five-CD rarities box set has grown to Hardcore UFOs: Revelations, Epiphanies, & Fast Food in the Western Hemisphere and will feature a single-disc "best of" also bearing a cryptic title: Human Amusements at Hourly Rates.
Television Alert:
The Late Show with David Letterman welcomes Merle Haggard on Thursday, John Mayer on Friday, and Hot Hot Heat Tuesday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien features Gov't Mule this evening overnight, Master P on Thursday overnight, Howie Day on Friday overnight, and Dashboard Confessional on Tuesday overnight; The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn fawns over Dido on Thursday overnight, Simply Red on Friday overnight, and Paul Weller of The Jam on Monday overnight; Last Call with Carson Daly hosts Michelle Branch this evening overnight, Super Furry Animals on Friday overnight, Leona Naess on Monday overnight, and Nappy Roots on Tuesday overnight; and Saturday Night Live's musical guest this weekend is Justin Timberlake.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, October 14:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change
Clay Aiken - Measure of a Man (RCA) debut from the American Idol runner-up
Edie Brickell - Volcano (Cherry/Universal) produced by Charlie Sexton, this is her first new music in 10 years
Christiansen - Stylish Nihilists (Revelation) from Louisville, Kentucky
The Close - It's a Secret to Everybody (Moodswing)
Cracker - Countrysides (iMUSIC) new and country-fried
Curl Up & Die - But the Past Is Not Through with Us (Revelation) 24 minutes of Las Vegas metal-core
Death Comet Crew - "DCC America" (Troubleman Unlimited) first 12-inch single in a series of re-issues from these legendary old-school hip-hop pioneers, featuring Basquiat, Rammalleezee, and graffiti artist Phase 2
Decibully - City of Festivals (Polyvinyl) new from The Promise Ring's William Seidel and Ryan Weber
The Dishes - 3 (File 13) the third album from Chicago's Kiki Yablon and Sarah Staskauskas
Jen Foster - Everybody's Girl (American Garage)
Paula Frazer - Place Where I Know (Birdman) collection of bedroom demos recorded in all their frailty from 1992 to 2002
Freaky Chakra - Moonroof Operator (Lakeshore) all new
Frisk - Audio Ransom Note (Adeline) with former members of AFI, Loose Change, and The Nerve Agents
The Gits - Enter the Conquering Chicken (Broken Rekids) re-mixed re-issue of sessions from 1993, nearly completed when singer Mia Zapata was found murdered in Seattle; now expanded with nine bonus tracks
Hard-Ons - Very Exciting! (Bomp!) all new, celebrating 21 years of speed terror
John Wesley Harding - Garden of Eden: The Fall EP (DRT Entertainment) seven-track EP of new songs and rare tracks
The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Live at Berkeley: The Second Set (Experience Hendrix) CD or double-LP set recorded four months before his death
The Human Stain - original motion picture soundtrack (Lakeshore) in an interesting twist, this soundtrack collection features favorites of Anthony Hopkins' character Coleman Silk, including the Oscar Peterson Trio, Jess Stacy, Woody Herman, and Tommy Dorsey
Hybrid - Morning Sci-Fi (Distinct'ive Records/K7) with guest bassist Peter Hook of New Order
Just a Fire - Light Up (Asian Man) new from Fred Erskine of June of 44 and Chris Daly of Sweep the Leg Johnny, inspired by The Clash, The Police, and Lee "Scratch" Perry
Kitchens & Bathrooms - Vehicles Beyond (Forge Again) math rock from Canada
Jonny Lang - Long Time Coming (A&M)
Life of Agony - River Runs Again: Live 2003 (Steamhammer) two-CD and DVD release
John McLaughlin - Thieves & Poets (Verve) reunited with the acoustic Aighetta Quartet, this new CD features a three-part suite and a selection of four standards
Mushroomhead - XIII (Republic/Universal) featuring a CD key to unlock more goodies
Me'Shell N'degeocello - Comfort Woman (Maverick) enhanced CD with lyrics, photos, and more
Bill Nelson - Whimsy (United States of Distribution) new two-CD studio album from the Be Bop Deluxe founder
Quails - Song Is Love (Mr. Lady) with former members of Circus Lupus and the Cha Cha Cabaret
The Rapture - Echoes (Strummer/Universal)
The Rising - Future Unknown (Maverick)
Raphael Saadig - All Hits at the House of Blues (Pookie) live two-CD set with a 12-piece orchestra and guests D'Angelo and Devin the Dude
Scissorfight - Deathchants, Breakdowns, & Military Waltzes, Volume 2 (Tortuga Recordings) six-track EP
Spottiswoode & His Enemies - Building a Road (Grantham Dispatch)
The Streetwalking Cheetahs - Maximum Overdrive (Alive/Total Energy) re-issue from 1997 with bonus seven-inch singles and B sides
Apollo Sunshine - Katonah (SpinArt)
Switchblade Symphony - Sweet Little Witches (Cleopatra) live gothic darkwave from 1997 to 1999
Travis - 12 Memories (Epic) all new exploration of domestic violence
The Twilight Singers - Blacklight Belle (Birdman/One Little Indian) new from the Greg Dulli collective
various artists - Just Because I'm a Woman: A Tribute to Dolly Parton (Sugar Hill) with Me'Shell N'degeocello, Norah Jones, Shelby Lynne, Shania Twain, Sinead O'Connor, and Alison Krause
various artists - Sessions@AOL (Atlantic) live and in-studio performances from Coldplay, Nappy Roots, Michelle Branch, The Roots, Alicia Keys, Missy Elliott, and more
Wesley Willis - Greatest Hits Volume 3 (Alternative Tentacles) posthumous release compiled with Jello Biafra while Willis was still alive, featuring 25 tracks and an enhanced CD-ROM video montage
Dan Zanes & Friends - House Party (Festival Five) with friends Phillip Glass, Deborah Harry, Bob Weir, and Angelique Kidjo
ZZ Top - Chrome, Smoke, & BBQ (Rhino) four-CD box set
· Indie sensation British Sea Power is soon to close its growing list of nominations for inclusion in the upcoming seven-inch single "Remember Me." Pressed in a limited edition of 2,003 copies, each single's sleeve will be hand-inscribed with the name of someone special enough to make the list. Fan-submitted nominees so far include the notable, such as James Osterberg, Leadbelly, and Antoine de Saint Exupery, as well as beloved family and friends. Don't fret if your pick isn't someone famous; jump on board at (mail@roywilkinson.demon.co.uk) and tell the band why your nominee's name should be included.
· Guided by Voices is releasing a new import-only CD single this week, "The Best of Jill Hives," featuring two non-LP gems: the Doug Gillard-penned "Free of This World" and a cover of Cheap Trick's "I'm Downed." The full title of the band's upcoming five-CD rarities box set has grown to Hardcore UFOs: Revelations, Epiphanies, & Fast Food in the Western Hemisphere and will feature a single-disc "best of" also bearing a cryptic title: Human Amusements at Hourly Rates.
Television Alert:
The Late Show with David Letterman welcomes Merle Haggard on Thursday, John Mayer on Friday, and Hot Hot Heat Tuesday; Late Night with Conan O'Brien features Gov't Mule this evening overnight, Master P on Thursday overnight, Howie Day on Friday overnight, and Dashboard Confessional on Tuesday overnight; The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn fawns over Dido on Thursday overnight, Simply Red on Friday overnight, and Paul Weller of The Jam on Monday overnight; Last Call with Carson Daly hosts Michelle Branch this evening overnight, Super Furry Animals on Friday overnight, Leona Naess on Monday overnight, and Nappy Roots on Tuesday overnight; and Saturday Night Live's musical guest this weekend is Justin Timberlake.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, October 14:
... and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change
Clay Aiken - Measure of a Man (RCA) debut from the American Idol runner-up
Edie Brickell - Volcano (Cherry/Universal) produced by Charlie Sexton, this is her first new music in 10 years
Christiansen - Stylish Nihilists (Revelation) from Louisville, Kentucky
The Close - It's a Secret to Everybody (Moodswing)
Cracker - Countrysides (iMUSIC) new and country-fried
Curl Up & Die - But the Past Is Not Through with Us (Revelation) 24 minutes of Las Vegas metal-core
Death Comet Crew - "DCC America" (Troubleman Unlimited) first 12-inch single in a series of re-issues from these legendary old-school hip-hop pioneers, featuring Basquiat, Rammalleezee, and graffiti artist Phase 2
Decibully - City of Festivals (Polyvinyl) new from The Promise Ring's William Seidel and Ryan Weber
The Dishes - 3 (File 13) the third album from Chicago's Kiki Yablon and Sarah Staskauskas
Jen Foster - Everybody's Girl (American Garage)
Paula Frazer - Place Where I Know (Birdman) collection of bedroom demos recorded in all their frailty from 1992 to 2002
Freaky Chakra - Moonroof Operator (Lakeshore) all new
Frisk - Audio Ransom Note (Adeline) with former members of AFI, Loose Change, and The Nerve Agents
The Gits - Enter the Conquering Chicken (Broken Rekids) re-mixed re-issue of sessions from 1993, nearly completed when singer Mia Zapata was found murdered in Seattle; now expanded with nine bonus tracks
Hard-Ons - Very Exciting! (Bomp!) all new, celebrating 21 years of speed terror
John Wesley Harding - Garden of Eden: The Fall EP (DRT Entertainment) seven-track EP of new songs and rare tracks
The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Live at Berkeley: The Second Set (Experience Hendrix) CD or double-LP set recorded four months before his death
The Human Stain - original motion picture soundtrack (Lakeshore) in an interesting twist, this soundtrack collection features favorites of Anthony Hopkins' character Coleman Silk, including the Oscar Peterson Trio, Jess Stacy, Woody Herman, and Tommy Dorsey
Hybrid - Morning Sci-Fi (Distinct'ive Records/K7) with guest bassist Peter Hook of New Order
Just a Fire - Light Up (Asian Man) new from Fred Erskine of June of 44 and Chris Daly of Sweep the Leg Johnny, inspired by The Clash, The Police, and Lee "Scratch" Perry
Kitchens & Bathrooms - Vehicles Beyond (Forge Again) math rock from Canada
Jonny Lang - Long Time Coming (A&M)
Life of Agony - River Runs Again: Live 2003 (Steamhammer) two-CD and DVD release
John McLaughlin - Thieves & Poets (Verve) reunited with the acoustic Aighetta Quartet, this new CD features a three-part suite and a selection of four standards
Mushroomhead - XIII (Republic/Universal) featuring a CD key to unlock more goodies
Me'Shell N'degeocello - Comfort Woman (Maverick) enhanced CD with lyrics, photos, and more
Bill Nelson - Whimsy (United States of Distribution) new two-CD studio album from the Be Bop Deluxe founder
Quails - Song Is Love (Mr. Lady) with former members of Circus Lupus and the Cha Cha Cabaret
The Rapture - Echoes (Strummer/Universal)
The Rising - Future Unknown (Maverick)
Raphael Saadig - All Hits at the House of Blues (Pookie) live two-CD set with a 12-piece orchestra and guests D'Angelo and Devin the Dude
Scissorfight - Deathchants, Breakdowns, & Military Waltzes, Volume 2 (Tortuga Recordings) six-track EP
Spottiswoode & His Enemies - Building a Road (Grantham Dispatch)
The Streetwalking Cheetahs - Maximum Overdrive (Alive/Total Energy) re-issue from 1997 with bonus seven-inch singles and B sides
Apollo Sunshine - Katonah (SpinArt)
Switchblade Symphony - Sweet Little Witches (Cleopatra) live gothic darkwave from 1997 to 1999
Travis - 12 Memories (Epic) all new exploration of domestic violence
The Twilight Singers - Blacklight Belle (Birdman/One Little Indian) new from the Greg Dulli collective
various artists - Just Because I'm a Woman: A Tribute to Dolly Parton (Sugar Hill) with Me'Shell N'degeocello, Norah Jones, Shelby Lynne, Shania Twain, Sinead O'Connor, and Alison Krause
various artists - Sessions@AOL (Atlantic) live and in-studio performances from Coldplay, Nappy Roots, Michelle Branch, The Roots, Alicia Keys, Missy Elliott, and more
Wesley Willis - Greatest Hits Volume 3 (Alternative Tentacles) posthumous release compiled with Jello Biafra while Willis was still alive, featuring 25 tracks and an enhanced CD-ROM video montage
Dan Zanes & Friends - House Party (Festival Five) with friends Phillip Glass, Deborah Harry, Bob Weir, and Angelique Kidjo
ZZ Top - Chrome, Smoke, & BBQ (Rhino) four-CD box set
