Spinner http://www.spinner.com Spinner http://www.spinner.com/media/feedlogo.gif Spinner http://www.spinner.com en-us Copyright 2013 Blogsmith, LLC. The contents of this headlines and excerpts feed are available for limited commercial distribution. You may repost this feed to your site provided you link back to the original story, do not edit the material, and do not remove this copyright notice. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ SXSW 2013: Green Day Celebrate Billie Joe Armstrong's Triumphant Return From Rehab http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/16/sxsw-green-day-billie-joe-armstrong-rehab/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/16/sxsw-green-day-billie-joe-armstrong-rehab/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/16/sxsw-green-day-billie-joe-armstrong-rehab/#comments Filed under: , ,


Green Day perform at SXSW 2013Getty

Green Day is back in a big way.

After cancelling a tour in support of three excellent albums that were released in quick succession last year so lead singer/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong could check into a rehabilitation facility to help kick his alcohol and prescription drug habits, the pop-punk heroes triumphantly returned to the stage on Friday night for a concert that packed the ACL Live at the Moody Theater.

SXSW Music Festival attendees had to enter a lottery to get coveted tickets for the show, which began an hour after what we were told was supposed to be an 8 p.m. start time. But once things got going, there was no stopping Green Day's first major performance since Armstrong's rehab stint. ]]> austinaustin city limitsAustinCityLimitsbillie joe armstrongBillie Joe Armstrong RehabBillieJoeArmstrongBillieJoeArmstrongRehabgreen daygreen day rehabgreen day returnGreenDayGreenDayRehabGreenDayReturnsouth by southwestSouthBySouthwestsxswsxsw 2013Sxsw2013 Steve McLean 2013-03-16T15:00:00 00:00 SXSW: Buddy Holly's Widow Keeps Legacy Alive, Recalls Death: 'I Couldn't Keep Him Home' http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/16/sxsw-buddy-holly-widow/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/16/sxsw-buddy-holly-widow/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/16/sxsw-buddy-holly-widow/#comments Filed under: , ,


Buddy Holly music scholarship awarded at SXSW 2013PA

Buddy Holly would have dedicated part of his life to helping young musicians if he hadn't perished in a plane crash at age 22 in 1959, according to his widow Maria Elena, and that's what a new prize and scholarship launched by The Buddy Holly Educational Foundation intend to do.

A $5,000 yearly scholarship at the University of North Texas in Denton will enable a promising music student to follow in Holly's footsteps, while the "Learning the Game" prize will be awarded each year at the South by Southwest Music Festival to "the preeminent unsigned band or artist at SXSW who best reflects those qualities that set Buddy apart, including songwriting, performance and production." ]]> buddy hollyBuddyHollysouth by southwestSouthBySouthwestsxswSXSW 2013Sxsw2013wagoneers Steve McLean 2013-03-16T13:45:00 00:00 Dave Grohl, SXSW 2013 Speech: 'The Musician Comes First' Says Foo Fighters Leader http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/14/dave-grohl-sxsw-2013-speech-foo-fighters/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/14/dave-grohl-sxsw-2013-speech-foo-fighters/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/14/dave-grohl-sxsw-2013-speech-foo-fighters/#comments Filed under: , , ,


Dave Grohl Foo Fighters SXSWGetty

Foo Fighters/Sound City/Nirvana/Probot/Queens of the Stone Age/etc musical traveler Dave Grohl has one main rule:

"The musician comes first."

That was the recurring theme of Grohl's impassioned 55-minute keynote address, which drew a standing ovation from hundreds of South by Southwest Music Conference delegates before and after, at the Austin Convention Center on Thursday morning.

Grohl is also in Austin for screenings of the new "Sound City" documentary he directed about the legendary Los Angeles recording studio that bears the same name and a concert tonight at Stubb's featuring many of the people interviewed for the movie -- including John Fogerty, Stevie Nicks, Rick Springfield, Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen, Fear's Lee Ving, Rage Against the Machine's Brad Wilk, Nirvana's Krist Novoselic and Grohl's Foo Fighters bandmates. ]]> Dave GrohlDave Grohl NirvanaDave Grohl Sound CityDaveGrohlDaveGrohlNirvanaDaveGrohlSoundCityFoo FightersFooFightersNirvanaSound CitySoundCitysouth by southwestsouth by southwest 2013SouthBySouthwestSouthBySouthwest2013SXSWSXSW 2013Sxsw2013 Steve McLean 2013-03-14T17:15:00 00:00 Robyn Hitchcock, 'Love From London': Ex-Soft Boys Singer Talks About Evolution, Evironment http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/14/robyn-hitchcock-love-from-london/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/14/robyn-hitchcock-love-from-london/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/14/robyn-hitchcock-love-from-london/#comments Filed under: , ,


Robyn HitchcockRobyn Hitchcock Facebook

Part of the joy of a Robyn Hitchcock performance is listening to him go off on tangents in his song introductions. He also does the same while not on stage and my phone interview with him on Monday was no different.

We chatted a bit about the British singer/songwriter's fine new Love From London album and some of the shows he's playing in support of it, but mostly he outlined his world view, noted how he's "become one with the acoustic guitar" and asked questions about the dog he could hear eating from a bowl beside me as I talked and typed.

Love From London was produced by past Hitchcock collaborator Paul Noble and features female harmonies and backing vocals in several songs, as well as subtle augmentation by cellist Jenny Adejayan. It's a relatively gentle pop-rock record that sometimes incorporates Hitchcock's psychedelic influences and fondness for jangly guitar while layering somewhat surrealistic lyrics with what feels like effortlessly created melodies. He calls his songs "paintings you can listen to," and it's an apt description. ]]> jon langfordJonLangfordkelly hoganKellyHoganKen StringfellowKenStringfellowminus 5Minus5Peter BuckPeterBuckR.E.M.Robyn Hitchcockrobyn hitchcock love from londonRobynHitchcockRobynHitchcockLoveFromLondonScott McCaugheyScottMccaugheysxswsxsw 2013Sxsw2013the egyptiansthe soft boysThe Venus 3TheEgyptiansTheSoftBoysTheVenus3Venus 3Venus3 Steve McLean 2013-03-14T16:30:00 00:00 SXSW 2013: Natalie Maines' New Sound, Iron & Wine Go Big Band at Spinner Showcase http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/14/sxsw-2013-natalie-maines-iron-and-wine-dawes-spinner/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/14/sxsw-2013-natalie-maines-iron-and-wine-dawes-spinner/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/14/sxsw-2013-natalie-maines-iron-and-wine-dawes-spinner/#comments Filed under: , , ,


Iron and Wine Performs at Spinner SXSW 2013 ShowcaseIron and Wine. Photo by Lance Rosenfield for AOL

Natalie Maines has kept a relatively low profile since the Dixie Chicks went on hiatus in 2007, but her Mother solo debut comes out on May 7 and she covered the Pink Floyd track of the same name as part of the Spinner showcase on Wednesday night at ACL Live at the Moody Theater.

Maines was outspoken against former United States president George W. Bush and his right wing policies back in 2003, which got the Dixie Chicks banned from a lot of country radio stations, so the anti-war sentiment of "Mother" was in keeping with her worldview.

Maines kept the socio-political theme going with "Free Life," a song written by Semisonic main man, Dixie Chicks writer and Grammy Award-winning producer Dan Wilson about the West Memphis Three (three men who were tried and convicted as teenagers of the 1993 murders of three boys in West Memphis, Ark.). She followed that with a song by another Grammy winner, Patty Griffin, which rocked harder than any tune that I've heard by Robert Plant's wife (whose new American Kid album comes out the same day as Mother). ]]> Ben HarperBenHarperDawesDixie ChicksDixieChicksFamily of the YearFamilyOfTheYearIron and WineIronAndWineLord HuronLordHuronNatalie MainesNatalieMainessouth by southwestsouth by southwest 2013SouthBySouthwestSouthBySouthwest2013Spinner SXSWSpinner SXSW recapSpinner SXSW showcaseSpinner SXSW showcase 2013SpinnerSxswSpinnerSxswRecapSpinnerSxswShowcaseSpinnerSxswShowcase2013SXSWSXSW 2013Sxsw2013 Steve McLean 2013-03-14T09:00:00 00:00 Billy Bragg, 'Tooth & Nail': Brit Protest Singer Channels Woody Guthrie on New Album http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/13/billy-bragg-tooth-and-nail-woody-guthrie/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/13/billy-bragg-tooth-and-nail-woody-guthrie/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/13/billy-bragg-tooth-and-nail-woody-guthrie/#comments Filed under: , , , ,


Billy BraggAndy Whale

The middle class that's disappearing across western society seems to be doing the same thing in the record industry and British singer/songwriter Billy Bragg says it's the most pressing problem facing young musicians today.

"For those of us who have name recognition the internet's been a great tool," Bragg tells Spinner. "It allows you to connect with people and feed them information and let people know when you're coming to their town. But if you're a new band with no profile, it's a much more complicated world out there. There aren't many people in that space anymore who used to be able to make a living by going around and playing gigs and putting out the occasional record. It's either high end stuff or cottage industry level. It's about how to bridge that gap."

Bragg will release new album Tooth & Nail on March 19 and, while it's just his third original solo album this century, he doesn't want people to think he's slowing down. He's just taking a different approach than he did when he issued a record almost every year through the '80s and early '90s. ]]> Billy BraggBilly Bragg albumBilly Bragg SXSWBilly Bragg Tooth NailBilly Bragg Woody GuthrieBillyBraggBillyBraggAlbumBillyBraggSxswBillyBraggToothNailBillyBraggWoodyGuthrieSXSWSXSW 2013Sxsw2013WilcoWoody GuthrieWoodyGuthrie Steve McLean 2013-03-13T17:00:00 00:00 Zombies and Foo Fighters: Brit Band 'Going to Get Together' with Dave Grohl at SXSW http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/11/the-zombies-foo-fighters-dave-grohl-sxsw-2013/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/11/the-zombies-foo-fighters-dave-grohl-sxsw-2013/ http://www.spinner.com/2013/03/11/the-zombies-foo-fighters-dave-grohl-sxsw-2013/#comments Filed under: , ,


ZombiesThe Zombies Facebook

The Zombies -- a British band that broke up before the release of belatedly heralded second album Odessey and Oracle 45 years ago -- have returned from the proverbial dead in recent years.

The act has experienced a renewed wave of popularity as it arrives for several appearances at the South by Southwest Music festival this week. It's perhaps not a coincidence Austin, Texas is also the hometown of Roky ("I Walked With A Zombie") Erickson.

"We're playing on quite a good level without any hit records and very little airplay," lead singer Colin Blunstone told Spinner a few hours before taking the stage at Toronto's Sound Academy on March 3. "It's just a word of mouth thing, but we're playing all around the world and in some major arenas." ]]> Colin BlunstoneColinBlunstonedave grohlDaveGrohlfoo fightersFooFightersOdessey and OracleOdesseyAndOraclesouth by southwestsouth by southwest 2013SouthBySouthwestSouthBySouthwest2013SXSWSXSW 2013Sxsw2013the zombiesTheZombieszombies Steve McLean 2013-03-11T16:00:00 00:00 Alejandro Escovedo SXSW: Annual Concert Attracts Members of R.E.M. + More http://www.spinner.com/2012/03/19/alejandro-escovedo-sxsw-2012/ http://www.spinner.com/2012/03/19/alejandro-escovedo-sxsw-2012/ http://www.spinner.com/2012/03/19/alejandro-escovedo-sxsw-2012/#comments Filed under: , ,


Steve McLean for AOL

Singer, songwriter and guitarist Alejandro Escovedo -- a former member of the Nuns and Rank and File who's since made more than a dozen solo albums -- has been hosting events at Austin's intimate Continental Club on the final Sunday night of SXSW for what he said are more years than he can remember. But this one was no doubt the biggest and the best Texas has seen.

The music began at noon and went to 2:30AM, with a lineup handpicked by Escovedo. When the legendary musician himself hit the stage, accompanied by his large Sensitive Boys band, he was like an orchestra leader as he led the ensemble through a roots rock-oriented set with pop and blues shades.

On 'Anchor,' the guitar interplay with David Pulkingham was brilliant while most band members got to solo during 'Chelsea Hotel '78' and a go-go dancer was even invited to join in while perched on a cabinet beside the stage. ]]> Alejandro EscovedoAlejandro Escovedo sxsw 2012AlejandroEscovedoAlejandroEscovedosxswsouth by southwestsxswsxsw2012 Steve McLean 2012-03-19T15:00:00 00:00 The Cult, SXSW: Ian Astbury Looks Past Festival to Political Concerns http://www.spinner.com/2012/03/17/the-cult-sxsw-2012/ http://www.spinner.com/2012/03/17/the-cult-sxsw-2012/ http://www.spinner.com/2012/03/17/the-cult-sxsw-2012/#comments Filed under: , ,


Herfitz PR

The Cult has played SXSW before, but lead singer Ian Astbury can't remember when and says he has more important things on his mind.

"I'm becoming less and less interested with narrow concerns," says Astbury, who will front the Cult when they headline the free outdoor show at Austin's Auditorium Shores this evening (March 17).

The singer was less enthralled with talking about this festival, his band and the Cult's forthcoming 'Choice of Weapon' album -- which will be released as a special edition fan pack on May 14, followed by digital and double vinyl on May 21 and CD and deluxe CDs on June 4 -- than he was with actor George Clooney being arrested outside of the Sudanese embassy during a Washington, D.C. protest on Friday. ]]> ian astburyian astbury the cultianastburyianastburythecultsxsw+the+cultsxswthecultthe cultthe cult sxswthe cult sxsw 2012thecultthecultsxswthecultsxsw2012 Steve McLean 2012-03-17T15:00:00 00:00 Waco Brothers SXSW 2012: Band Brags About Being a 'Tequila Train Wreck' Live http://www.spinner.com/2012/03/17/waco-brothers-sxsw-2012-great-chicago-fire/ http://www.spinner.com/2012/03/17/waco-brothers-sxsw-2012-great-chicago-fire/ http://www.spinner.com/2012/03/17/waco-brothers-sxsw-2012-great-chicago-fire/#comments Filed under: , ,


Bloodshot RecordsBloodshot Records

Waco Brothers have performed at every SXSW except one since 1996, and the Chicago group's raucous, tequila-fuelled performances have become must-see annual events for many fans.

But there's a new wrinkle to some of the Wacos' SXSW appearances this year, since the alt-country-rock band are performing songs from their forthcoming 'Great Chicago Fire' album with Nashville singer-songwriter and label mate Paul Burch. The idea for which was hatched a few years ago over several margaritas at south Austin bar Guero's, the Wacos' home away from home while in the Texas capitol. The restaurant is a stone's throw away from the backyard of the Yard Dog Gallery, where Bloodshot Records (who will release the disc April 24) hold their annual daytime party, and where Waco member Jon Langford also has his art on display.

"It's been really fun," Burch says of the collaboration. "It's like being on a jet engine, being with them, because I just adore their sound and I really like being in a band. It's great to have a dynamic that's loud rock 'n' roll." ]]> south by southwestsouth by southwest 2012sxswsxsw2012TheWacoBrotherswaco brothersWacoBrotherswacobrotherssxswwacobrotherssxsw2012 Steve McLean 2012-03-17T11:00:00 00:00 Nardwuar SXSW 2012: Kooky Canadian Icon Takes on Austin With Andrew W.K. http://www.spinner.com/2012/03/16/nardwuar-evaporators-sxsw-2012/ http://www.spinner.com/2012/03/16/nardwuar-evaporators-sxsw-2012/ http://www.spinner.com/2012/03/16/nardwuar-evaporators-sxsw-2012/#comments Filed under: , , , ,


Rebecca Blissett

Nardwuar the Human Serviette is attending his sixth South by Southwest. He's busier than ever with four performances by his band the Evaporators and nine interviews in his role as one of the most unique music journalists around.

He emphasizes his interest in talking to the folks who are responsible for the YouTube sensation 'Epic Meal Time' show, which focuses on meat-laden, high-calorie dishes that usually involve alcohol and a pretty high gross-out factor for anyone who likes to eat at least somewhat healthily.

SXSW dwarfs Canadian music festivals like North by Northeast, Canadian Music Fest and JunoFest, with clubs of various shapes and sizes spread out over the city of nearly than 800,000 people. Even the size of the host convention center has Vancouver-based Nardwuar a bit freaked out. ]]> AndrewWkbusydoingnothingnadrwuarandtheevaporatorsnardwauarsxswnardwuarNardwuar the Human Serviettenardwuarsxsw2012south by southwestsxswsxsw 2012sxsw2012theevaporators Steve McLean 2012-03-16T16:30:00 00:00 SXSW 2012: Temper Trap, Kaiser Chiefs, Girls & More Invade Spinner Showcase http://www.spinner.com/2012/03/16/sxsw-2012-temper-trap-kaiser-chiefs-girls-and-more-invade-spinn/ http://www.spinner.com/2012/03/16/sxsw-2012-temper-trap-kaiser-chiefs-girls-and-more-invade-spinn/ http://www.spinner.com/2012/03/16/sxsw-2012-temper-trap-kaiser-chiefs-girls-and-more-invade-spinn/#comments Filed under: , ,


Kaiser ChiefsLance Rosenfield for AOL

Spinner isn't just covering shows at the South by Southwest Music Festival, we're presenting them as well, with Milo Greene, Dry the River, Girls, Kaiser Chiefs and the Temper Trap rocking SXSW Thursday night at Stubb's, one of the biggest clubs in Austin.

After impressive opening sets from Milo and Dry the River, the casually dressed Girls took the stage at 10PM. Lead singer Christopher Owens had an acoustic guitar while Chet White (the band's other official member and producer) played bass and the rest of the lineup was filled with electric guitar, drums, keyboards and a female backing singer.

There was a bit of a rootsy edge through the first three songs before Owens strapped on an electric guitar and upped the ante for the rest of the set, nowhere more so than on an extended version of the dynamic 'Honey Bunny,' which shifted moods and tempos. The large crowd was on side with Girls and the amount of dancing seemed to jump a bit when the keyboards were kicked up to a higher level. ]]> Dry the Rivergirlssxswgirlssxsw2012Kaiser Chiefskaiserchiefssxswkaiserchiefssxw2012Milo Greenesouth by southwestSouthBySouthwestsxswsxsw2012temper traptempertrapSXSWtempertrapsxsw2012TheTemperTrap Steve McLean 2012-03-16T13:45:00 00:00 Bruce Springsteen SXSW Keynote: The Boss Delivers Speech in Austin http://www.spinner.com/2012/03/15/bruce-springsteen-sxsw-keynote-2012/ http://www.spinner.com/2012/03/15/bruce-springsteen-sxsw-keynote-2012/ http://www.spinner.com/2012/03/15/bruce-springsteen-sxsw-keynote-2012/#comments Filed under: , ,


Getty Images for SXSW

The name Bruce has been thrown around Austin over the past few days as often as in that 1974 Monty Python Live at Drury Lane sketch, as both hardcore and casual fans caught the buzz of The Boss coming to SXSW for a keynote address and performance on Thursday.

Springsteen jumped the gun with a surprise Wednesday night appearance at the Austin Music Awards, where he performed a handful of songs with Alejandro Escovedo and Joe Ely, ending with a Garland Jeffreys-led run through the Rolling Stones' 'Beast of Burden.'

No photography, videography or audio recording was allowed for Springsteen's keynote at Austin Convention Center, which began 40 minutes late. But he still received a standing ovation and screams of "Bruce" when he walked out and asked: "Why are we up so f---ing early?" ]]> bruce springsteenBruceSpringsteenBruceSpringsteenSXSWBruceSpringsteenSXSW2012south by southwestsxswsxsw2012 Steve McLean 2012-03-15T13:13:00 00:00 Ben Folds Boarded A Cappella Bandwagon Before Joining 'The Sing-Off' Reality Show http://www.spinner.com/2010/12/06/ben-folds-sing-off/ http://www.spinner.com/2010/12/06/ben-folds-sing-off/ http://www.spinner.com/2010/12/06/ben-folds-sing-off/#comments Filed under: , ,


Ben Folds

Ben Folds concerts have frequently involved the North Carolina musician splitting the crowd into various sections and asking them to sing along to his tunes. In the past couple of years, though, he's taken a much larger interest in the voices of strangers, immersing himself in the world of a cappella.

"A cappella is wonderful because it's nothing else but people singing," Folds enthuses to Spinner.

Being a judge on 'The Sing-Off' -- the 'American Idol'-like competition for a cappella troupes which kicks off its second season Dec. 6 on NBC -- gives the impression that the vocal style is old hat for the 44-year-old. But it's only his recent collaboration with college a cappella groups from across the US entitled 'Ben Folds Presents: University A Cappella!' that readied him for the prime-time critiquing. ]]> Ben FoldsBenFolds Steve McLean 2010-12-06T09:00:00 00:00 Old 97's Texan Frontman Rhett Miller Hearts Hockey http://www.spinner.com/2010/11/25/old-97s-rhett-miller-hockey/ http://www.spinner.com/2010/11/25/old-97s-rhett-miller-hockey/ http://www.spinner.com/2010/11/25/old-97s-rhett-miller-hockey/#comments Filed under: , ,


Rhett Miller, Old 97's

Rhett Miller is best known as the frontman of the Old 97's, a solo artist with four albums under his belt and, for some, a dreamy hunk.

But the man born Stewart Ransom Miller II -- who just released his eighth studio album, 'The Grande Theatre, Volume One,' with the Old 97's -- also happens to be a huge hockey fan.

Miller grew up in Dallas, Texas and became a fan of the local NHL team known as the Stars after the franchise moved south from Minnesota before the 1993-94 season. He admits that he especially enjoys performing in Canada because it gives him a chance to indulge his passion for hockey. ]]> Old 97sOld97sRhettMillerTheOld97s Steve McLean 2010-11-25T10:30:00 00:00 Shonen Knife's Favourite Japanese Bands -- Count Five http://www.spinner.com/2010/11/24/shonen-knife-japanese-bands/ http://www.spinner.com/2010/11/24/shonen-knife-japanese-bands/ http://www.spinner.com/2010/11/24/shonen-knife-japanese-bands/#comments Filed under: ,


Shonen Knife

Japan's Shonen Knife has been playing their trademark blend of girl group pop and Ramones-style punk, with occasional elements of head-banging metal thrown in for good measure, since forming in 1981.

The group released an English version of their 2007 Japanese disc called 'Fun! fun! fun!' along with an Anglo version of the more recent 'Free Time' this summer on Goo Goo Dolls' Robby Takac's label, Good Charamel Records. Shonen Knife may be one of Spinner's fave Japanese bands, but we wanted to know who Shonen Knife founder Naoko Yamano would name for her own top five: ]]> acidmotherstempleShonen KnifeShonenKnife Steve McLean 2010-11-24T15:30:00 00:00 Richard Thompson's Favourite Covers of His Own Songs -- Count Five http://www.spinner.com/2010/11/22/richard-thompson-cover-songs/ http://www.spinner.com/2010/11/22/richard-thompson-cover-songs/ http://www.spinner.com/2010/11/22/richard-thompson-cover-songs/#comments Filed under: ,


Richard Thompson

Richard Thompson has written and recorded more than 400 songs over the course of his 40 year music career.

Through his work with British folk rock group Fairport Convention, collaborations with now ex-wife Linda Thompson, and decades spent as a solo artist, Thompson has earned a reputation as one of the best and most versatile guitarists around. His songwriting has also received wide-ranging accolades, including the esteemed Ivor Novello Award.

The London, England-born artist -- who released the live album 'Dream Attic' this past summer which he's currently touring across North America-- is held in such high regard that he's been the subject of two tribute albums and his songs have been reinterpreted by performers as diverse as Robert Plant, R.E.M., Los Lobos and the Blind Boys Of Alabama.

Of all these covers, Spinner asked the 61-year-old to list his five favourite Thompson tracks recast. Here are his answers: ]]> BonnieRaittDinosaurJrElvisCostelloFairportConventionJuneTaborRichard ThompsonRichardThompsonswan arcade Steve McLean 2010-11-22T11:30:00 00:00 Shonen Knife Reissue Albums in English, Play Pop Montreal http://www.spinner.com/2010/09/30/shonen-knife-reissue-albums-pop-montreal/ http://www.spinner.com/2010/09/30/shonen-knife-reissue-albums-pop-montreal/ http://www.spinner.com/2010/09/30/shonen-knife-reissue-albums-pop-montreal/#comments Filed under: , ,


Shonen Knife

Shonen Knife has had their ups and downs in North America over their near 30-year career, but the Japanese all-female pop-punk band are now enjoying their highest profile since the early '90s when Sonic Youth, Redd Kross and Kurt Cobain were singing their praise.

"When I finally got to see them live, I was transformed into a hysterical nine-year-old girl at a Beatles concert," the Nirvana frontman told 'Rolling Stone' magazine before inviting Shonen Knife to open on a 1991 UK tour.

While lead singer-guitarist Naoko Yamano is the only original Shonen Knife member left, different lineups have continued to make records and tour over the ensuing years. The band played in Europe, the Philippines, China and Taiwan earlier this year. Yamano is accompanied on the current North American jaunt by bassist and backing vocalist Ritsuko Taneda and drummer Emi Morimoto. ]]> Shonen KnifeShonenKnife Steve McLean 2010-09-30T11:30:00 00:00 Chromeo's Best Dance Songs of the 2000s http://www.spinner.com/2010/08/31/chromeo-best-dance-songs-2000/ http://www.spinner.com/2010/08/31/chromeo-best-dance-songs-2000/ http://www.spinner.com/2010/08/31/chromeo-best-dance-songs-2000/#comments Filed under: ,


ChromeoTim Saccenti

Chromeo, everyone's favourite Montreal-born electro-funk duo, are releasing their third album 'Business Casual' on Sept 14. Keyboardist/talk boxer P. Thugg (Patrick Gemayel) and lead singer/guitarist Dave 1 (Dave Macklovitch) have used the new record to expand on the '80s-influenced electronic dance-pop of their debut, 'She's in Control,' and 2007's breakthrough effort, 'Fancy Footwork'

But while blazing a path around the globe playing music festivals and headlining clubs all summer long, they haven't forgotten about the music that moves them. During a recent visit to Toronto, Dave 1 talked to Spinner about his five favourite dance tracks of the 21st century:

5. Klaxons, 'Gravity's Rainbow' (Soulwax remix) (2007)
"I don't think you can mention modern dance music without mentioning Soulwax. They're the greatest remixers out there. They're the biggest touring festival kings in Europe and they're phenomenal producers. They cultivate the analog synthesizer technology like we do and their stuff sounds amazing. They have a really interesting take on techno and dance music, as heard in this Klaxons remix, but they use all vintage equipment and incorporate live drums in a really unique formula. Between them, James Murphy and Stuart Price, they're the kings of dance music." ]]> Chromeo Steve McLean 2010-08-31T10:30:00 00:00 The Soft Pack Played Hard at NXNE http://www.spinner.com/2010/06/20/soft-pack-nxne/ http://www.spinner.com/2010/06/20/soft-pack-nxne/ http://www.spinner.com/2010/06/20/soft-pack-nxne/#comments Filed under: ,


The Soft PackSan Diego's the Soft Pack, who played a 4PM Saturday set in Yonge-Dundas Square as part of the NXNE Music Festival, was originally named The Muslims, but changed it after being subjected to ignorant racist taunts. Luckily, the group hasn't changed its music, which remains pretty diverse and eclectic.

Some songs featured lots of guitar feedback, while others were more jangle rock that harkened back to the early days of R.E.M. There were also some punkier moments, a tropical pop vibe wound its way through 'Mexico,' and one could hear elements of Joy Division and Velvet Underground's faster numbers in other cuts.

The best song of the set, however, was 'Bright Side,' the B-side of a 2009 seven-inch. It was more aggressive than the recorded version, but maintained its many hooks, and the guitar-playing bordered on brilliant. ]]> NXNESoft PackSoftPack Steve McLean 2010-06-20T12:15:00 00:00