Get well wishes to a Beastie Boy
Aug. 2, 2009
Get Well Wishes toa Beastie Boy
Kristi Kates 8/3/09
An out-of-nowhere announcement was made by the Beastie Boys last week, during which they announced that Beastie Adam MCA Yauch has been diagnosed with cancer and will undergo surgery. Yauch spoke directly to fans via a video posted on the groups website, saying that his docs have told him that the situation is treatable and hes expected to make a full recovery. The rest of the Beastie Boys have rallied behind him, as the band has cancelled their upcoming tour dates - including the Beasties planned stops at All Points West, Austin City Limits, and this years Lollapalooza fest in Chicago - and have also postponed the release of their new album, Hot Sauce Committee Part 1, which was originally scheduled to hit stores on September 18. The Beasties label, EMI, is also supportive of the ailing musician, wishing him all the best and a speedy recovery...
Matisyahus third studio album is finally set to hit stores after a number of delays, having been recorded in various locations over the past year including NYC, L.A., Virginia, and Jamaica. Matisyahus latest retains the unusual artists dub/reggae/folk sound, on which he collaborates with the likes of producers Sly and Robbie and David Kahne. Tracks included on the new set include So Hi So Lo, Smash Lies, Motivate, and Silence, on which Matisyahu steps briefly away from his rap-vocal stylings and tries a little singing. Hes also currently on a summer tour schedule that will run through this month; the new album, Light, will hit stores on August 25...
A Love and Rockets tribute album is set for release on August 18, complete with cover art by Shepherd Fairey (the man responsible for those iconic red and blue Obama posters) and production from Phil Jaurigui (Audioslave.) The 80s band, who took their band name from a comic book series, were fronted by singer Daniel Ash - you might recollect their biggest hit, So Alive - and are now being lauded by a number of todays bands, from Better Than Ezra, who will cover that very track, to Dubfire (I Feel Speed), The Flaming Lips (Kundalini Express), Monster Magnet (Mirror People), and War Tapes (Love Me)...
Los Campesinos! are bidding farewell to longtime band member Aleks Campesinos, and are planning to add a new member, although no names have been named as of yet; the band has just wrapped up work on their third album, and will be embarking on an 18-day tour throughout the U.S. in the month of August, with shows including stops in Cleveland (8/6), Indianapolis (8/7), Chicago (8/8 at Lollapalooza), Dallas (8/15), and Las Vegas (8/25)...
MODERN ROCK LINK OF THE WEEK:
The band that got their big break on MuchMusics DisBand series - beating out 700 other bands to appear on the show - have just signed with Universal Music Canada; and theyre already working with producer Gavin Brown (Billy Talent, Three Days Grace) on their debut album, which is expected this fall. Check out a preview demo of their tune Throw Ya Hands Up at their official MySpace page, www.myspace.com/stereos, and see what you think of this new band...
MINI BUZZ:
The Pretenders North American tour will kick off on August 4 in Rama, Ontario, and will serve as promotion for the bands latest album, Break Up the Concrete; other city stops will include Washington DC (8/14), Columbus OH (8/16), Chicago (8/18), Council Bluffs, Iowa (8/20), and Los Angeles (9/3)...
Stone Temple Pilots have reportedly written over a dozen songs for what will be their comeback album, and are working with producer Don Was on the new set, which will be their first new album since 2001...
The 2009 Bumbershoot Music Fest in Seattle (September 5th-7th) have added The Black Eyed Peas to the bill, where theyll perform alongside the likes of Sheryl Crow, Modest Mouse, and Metric...
Fall Out Boys Pete Wentz is set to co-create a new comic book called Fall Out Toyworks, with the first issue slated to arrive on September 2nd...
Blue Octobers Crazy Making Summer tour with Switchfoot kicks off this week; their first show will be in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and both bands will be taking Ours and Longwave along as opening acts...
Band mastermind Billy Corgan says that he expects the Smashing Pumpkins to have a new recording on the way soon, he thinks as soon as (appropriately) October...
And no waiting, ladies and gentlemen - these recordings are on the way right now... ON CD: Kings of Leons Boxed and The Interview Sessions... Our Lady Peaces Burn Burn... Susanna Hoffs and Matthew Sweets Under the Covers Vol. 2... Rick Dankos (The Band) At Dylans Cafe... ON DVD: Hawkwinds USA Tour 1989-1990... and thats the buzz for this weeks Modern Rock.
Questions, comments, rants, raves, suggestions on this column or your favorite musicians? Send em to Kristi at modernrocker@gmail.com