Arctic Monkeys Go Warp Speed

Modern Rock

By Kristi Kates | Jan. 5, 2019

Arctic Monkeys have released a brand new short rockumentary called Warp Speed Chic. Directed by Ben Chappell, the doc features a mini selection of live performances from the band’s recent tour dates, plus some studio and behind-the-scenes clips. The film closely follows the band’s latest single, “Always,” which serves as a B-side from the vinyl pressing of yet another single, “Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino,” the title track from the band’s latest (sixth) full-length album. The band is prepping now to head to Australia, Mexico, and South America next month to kick off their 2019 tour …

A new compilation album called A Day in the Life: Impressions of Pepper features 12 contemporary jazz artists taking on jazz interpretations of The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album. Among the artists: pianist Cameron Graves, trumpeter Keyon Harrold, and saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings. All of the musicians shift and challenge the original rhythms and inspirations for the Beatles’ tracks, adding interesting components like different beats, funk elements, and even current pop, jazz, and R&B countermelodies …

Joy Division is the subject of a coming oral history book outlining the band’s evolution and demise. Jon Savage, former writer for Britian’s fabled New Musical Express (NME) and author of “England’s Dreaming: The Sex Pistols and Punk Rock” and “Teenage: The Creation of Youth” author, collected and authored the book, tracking the band across the years via a complex combination of newsreel footage, three decades worth of interviews, archival clips, and other cuttings. Former bandmates Peter Hook, Stephen Morris, and Bernard Sumner spoke to Savage about the book, “This Searing Light, the Sun and Everything Else: Joy Division, a History," which will be available in April in the U.S. (March in the U.K.)

Following 2018’s mania for ’90s bands, 2000-era boy band B2K is reportedly set to reunite for what will be The Millennium Tour, coming to the U.S. in March. The four original bandmates will perform together for the first time in over 10 years, bringing back tracks like “Gots Ta Be” and “Badaboom.” They’ll be joined by more ’00-founded opening acts such as Mario, Lloyd, and Pretty Ricky …

LINK OF THE WEEK
A worthy “holiday leftover” is this performance from Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, who shared a little festive spirit during the band’s performance two days before Christmas in Las Vegas. Yorke segued the classic song “Silent Night” into Radiohead’s own track “Reckoner.” Check it out at https://youtu.be/vMKsXQSpw1o …

THE BUZZ
Holland singer/guitarist Diego Morales has embarked upon a new collaboration project, Dalmatian Stone, with a plethora of his fellow local musicians …

Ariana Grande is adding more dates to her Sweetener World Tour. You’ll now be able to catch her in nearby Chicago on April 8, and in Toronto on June 26 …

Fiona Dickinson and her dark folk music will take the stage at the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s concert series on Jan. 17 …

The Way Down Wanderers and the Charlie Millard Band will share a bill at the Tri-Cities Historical Museum for a special show on Jan. 11 …

… and that’s the buzz for this week’s Modern Rock.
 
Comments, questions, rants, raves, suggestions on this column? Send ’em to Kristi at modernrocker@gmail.com.