No Drummer For The Scientists

Nov. 28, 2007

We Are Scientists could currently call themselves We Are Drummer–less, at least for the time being – drummer Michael Tapper has abruptly quit the band, with the diplomatic statement of “Michael Tapper has relinquished his duties as drummer of We Are Scientists in order to pursue other things.”  Hmm. Yeah. The band used temporary percussionists while sticking with their brief UK tour the past couple of weeks, which took them through Edinburgh, Glasgow, and London, among other cities; a permanent drummer replacement has yet to be found...

A special Bob Dylan tribute concert of sorts took place last week at NYC’s Beacon Theater; dubbed “I’m Not There: In Concert,” the event, to celebrate the recent release of the Dylan biopic (also called I’m Not There) featured the likes of Yo La Tengo, Mark Lanegan, Calexico, Lee Ranaldo, and many more indie artists, all who are slated to be included on the movie soundtrack. Sonic Youth recorded the title track for the movie; the soundtrack is already in stores, and the movie is out now...
 
Sufjan Stevens performed at the Brooklyn Academy of Music last week, a show staged to unveil Stevens’ classically–informed symphony, The BQE. Steven’s 30–minute opus paid tribute to the Brooklyn–Queens Expressway, the highway that runs through the midst of Manhattan. In addition to an orchestra, Stevens simultaneously worked with a rock band, which made the symphony a... rockphony? And the whole thing was decorated with video projections of cars and a troupe of day–glo hula hoopers.  For fans that were more rock, less orchestra, Stevens also played a second set that was called “Sufjan Plays the Hits”...
 
And singer/songwriter Jewel, who moved from folk–pop to an unsuccessful attempt at dance–pop, has now decided to reinvent herself once again – she’s just signed a multi–album deal with Nashville label Valory Music, and will begin releasing country music albums. Jewel claims that she’s always wanted to record country music throughout her career, but that her label at the time was “scared” of country music; no word yet on when her first country album will arrive...

MODERN ROCK LINK OF THE WEEK: Switchfoot have just released a track on their website for download – but there’s a warm–hearted catch. The band are asking fans to either make a donation to one of the fire rescue/repair efforts in and around the San Diego area, or volunteer time with Habitat for Humanity in exchange for the song, which is titled “Rebuild.” Do your part to help and get a cool song, too, at www.switchfoot.com...
MINI BUZZ:
Gorillaz’ Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett are still cranking out the Gorillaz product, even as the band is ending; look for a behind–the–scenes documentary called Bananaz in stores soon...
A new book titled The A–Z of Franz Ferdinand is out this week, and contains previously unseen photos of the band, extracts from their personal journals, and exclusive interviews...
Joe Jackson will release his first album in five years this upcoming January; look for Rain in stores on January 29 via Rykodisc...
Timbaland is working on a new album, too, and he’s already done some tracking with Akon and Gwen Stefani...
Morrissey is prepping to sign a new record deal in order to release his new album and a greatest hits CD, both of which are expected to hit stores early next year...
The Decemberists have, unfortunately, had to cancel the remainder of their fall tour due to an ill bandmate; ticket holders will get refunds, but dates will not be rescheduled yet – the band says that the most important thing is to “get home so their friend can mend”...
 
And here are this week’s brand new releases... ON CD:  Youssou N’Dour’s Rokku Mi Rokka... The Backstreet Boys’ (yes, they’re back) Unbreakable... Graham Colton’s Here Right Now... Daft Punk’s Alive 2007 – Deluxe Edition... Blake Lewis’ Audio Daydream... and The Libertines’ The Best of The Libertines... ON DVD:  Jamiroquai: Live at Montreaux... Elvis Presley’s Destination Vegas... Alejandro Sanz: El Tren de los Momentos: En Vivo Desde Buenos Aires... and Cactus’ Cactus Live DVD... and that’s the buzz for this week’s Modern Rock.

Questions, comments, rants, raves, suggestions on this column or your fave musicians? Send ‘em to Kristi at modernrocker@gmail.com.