The Clash: Where Are They Now?

Joe Strummer

Joe Strummer had a bit of an acting career after The Clash disbanded. He had two songs featured in the Alex Cox film, Sid and Nancy. Cox and Strummer continued working together in the director’s next two releases. Strummer acted in and scored the film, Walker, and had a role in Straight To Hell. This led to even more film roles in Candy Mountain in 1987 and in Jim Jarmusch’s lauded Mystery Train in 1989. For the film Permanent Record in 1988, Strummer wrote and contributed five songs for the soundtrack. It was only in 1989 that Strummer released his first solo album, Earthquake Weather. He didn’t do much more until 1997 when he scored the John Cusack film Grosse Point Blank. His second solo album, Rock Art and the X-Ray Style, came out in 1999, followed in 2001 with Global A-Go-Go. Sadly, when Strummer was working on his fourth solo effort, he suffered a heart attack and passed away at home.

Mick Jones

After Mick Jones exited The Clash, he formed Big Audio Dynamite in 1985 with Don Letts, who directed many of The Clash’s music videos). The band mostly mixed rock with dance and released a slew of albums throughout the rest of the 80s, including This Is Big Audio Dynamite, No. 10, Upping St. (which reunited him with Strummer as a producer and co-writer) and Megatop Phoenix. After Megatop Phoenix, he parted ways with most of BAD and formed a new band Big Audio Dynamite II. Then after releasing a few more albums, BAD II later reformed again as Big Audio. Letts also later directed The Clash documentary, Westway to the World, which featured interviews with Jones and the rest of his Clash-mates. He produced The Libertines debut album, Up the Bracket, and their second eponymous album, as well the debut album, Down In Albion, from Babyshambles – the side project of Libertines lead singer and guitarist Pete Doherty. Jones also tried his hand at film scoring, working on Dice Life – The Random Mind of Luke Rhinehart. He recently appeared with Primal Scream at the NME Shockwave Award this year, keeping himself creative and current.

Paul Simonon

After The Clash, Paul Simonon guested on Bob Dylan's album, Down in the Groove, in 1988. He then formed the group Havana 3 A.M. but only released one eponymous full length in 1991. Afterwards, Simonon picked up painting again, which used to be his original passion before his music career. He’s had a few gallery shows and has found some success as a painter. He designed the cover for one of Big Audio Dynamite’s albums and also designed the cover for The Good, The Bad and The Queen’s self-titled album in 2007, the Damon Albarn project that Simonon also plays bass in.

Terry Chimes

After the Clash broke up, Terry Chimes went on for another 15 years to play drums for Billy Idol, Black Sabbath and many others. In 2003 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with Clash-mates Topper Headon, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Joe Strummer. After Chimes left music, the world of alternative medicine came calling. He became a chiropractic doctor and acupuncturist, opening up a chain of chiropractic clinics and serving as a consultant in alternative medicine. He holds lectures and seminars on how to become successful. For more information, check out his website, www.terrychimes.com.

Topper Headon

Topper Headon was once proclaimed “The Human Drum Machine” by producer Sandy Pearlman, who worked on The Clash’s Give ‘Em Enough Rope. His skills soon dissipated however when Headon couldn’t kick his heroin addiction. His inability to rehabilitate led The Clash to kick him out of the band in 1982. Headon released a solo album called Waking Up, which alluded to his struggle with drugs in songs like “Got To Keep On Going” and “Just Another Hit.” The album failed to gain any buzz, and Headon got arrested for drug charges. Beyond that, Headon didn’t do much more in music. He produced albums for a New York band called Bush Tetras, but wasn’t really heard from until his interviews for the Clash documentary, Westway to the World. After one of his shows he found out that Joe Strummer had died. He reportedly said, emotionally, "It's taken Joe's death to make me realize just how big The Clash were. We were a political band and Joe was the one who wrote the lyrics. Joe was one of the truest guys you could ever meet. If he said 'I am behind you', then you knew he meant it 100 percent."

The History of The Clash

In the history of music, The Clash were one of those bands who simply lived and breathed the urge to bring about positive change through their music and role model. They were dubbed “the only band that matters.” Formed in 1976 in London, The Clash weren’t just another British punk band. They were artists who found themselves engulfed in diverse genres of music including rock, reggae, rockabilly and more.

While their music evoked the spirit of revolution, their lyrics reflected their state of mind and their concern for the future. Each of the two lead songwriters, Joe Strummer and Mick Jones, had their own perspectives, joined in unison through The Clash to affect a better tomorrow. They were rebels, yes, but they were rebels with a social conscience who knew they could speak and influence an impressionable and caring audience with their songs.

While the band broke pretty quickly in Mother England with other huge British acts like The Jam, Sex Pistols and the Buzzcocks in the late 70s, it took a little while for the music to be widely embraced in the United States. In 1982, the band impacted the America with their critically-acclaimed album Combat Rock, which spawned the hits “Should I Stay Or Should I Go,” “Rock the Casbah” and “Straight To Hell.”

They became politically charged international troubadours protesting all that was wrong in the world, true champions of the middle class. Strummer, born John Graham Mellor, really began paying attention to music during his childhood boarding school years. He didn’t exactly live a middle class life, but he grew an admiration for socially conscious songwriter-artists like Woody Guthrie, even giving himself the nickname Woody.

As Strummer grew into a young man, he started playing in a band called the 101’ers, while Mick Jones rocked around town with his band called the London SS with childhood friend bassist Paul Simonon and drummer Terry Chimes.  Influenced by the Sex Pistols’ tougher persona, Strummer left the 101’ers and decided to form a band with a harder sound and found the London SS with his former bandmate guitarist Keith Levene. The band then rechristened themselves The Clash. As fate would have it, their first show together was a gig supporting the Sex Pistols in London, and then later continued on the Anarchy Tour with the Pistols.

Next up for The Clash was a record deal. The band signed a deal with British CBS the following year and recorded their self-titled debut album. Chimes left the band and was replaced by Topper Headon on drums. The band released their first single, “White Riot,” and hit the charts at number 12. The album wasn’t released in the States right away because CBS decided it was unfit for radio, but with the popularity overseas, they should have known that nothing could hold The Clash down. The album ended up becoming the largest-selling import ever.

The roller coaster ride continued as the White Riot tour began with The Jam and The Buzzcocks supporting. Their rebellious nature shined when CBS nixed “Remote Control” as a single – the band teamed up with Lee “Scratch” Perry and recorded “Complete Control.”

While Strummer and Jones developed a history of fighting the law (and the law winning) for minor slaps on the wrist and Simonon and Headon were a little kookier with their racing pigeon incident, The Clash soon became more active in their desire for social change. They headlined a Rock Against Racism concert and then released the song, “(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais.”

In 1978, the group released their sophomore effort, Give ‘Em Enough Rope, which was produced by former Blue Oyster Cult-er Sandy Pearlman. The record was hot at number two in the U.K. but peaked at 128 in the States. This didn’t discourage them. They trekked on the following year on their first U.S. tour called Pearl Harbor ’79. Then they recorded Bobby Fuller Four’s “I Fought the Law” on The Cost of Living EP.

What was so great about The Clash was that they weren’t afraid to be different. They weren’t afraid to experiment. On their second American tour, the band added keyboard player Mickey Gallagher and booked R&B artists like Bo Diddley, Sam & Dave, Lee Dorsey and Screamin’ Jay Hawkins as openers. They have also toured with country singer-songwriter Joe Ely and The Cramps, a psychobilly band.

Their vast and diverse love of music really naturally led them to record their most famous release – the double album, London Calling. The album covered rockabilly, New Orleans R&B, rock and reggae, launched into world-wide popularity at number 9 on the U.K. charts and number 27 on the U.S. charts with the strength of its anthemic title track.

In 1980, the semi-documentary Rude Boy was released in England, which was about a fan/roadie named Ray Gange and his experiences with The Clash and actually featured the band playing themselves.

Afterwards, the band released follow-ups to London Calling, including the Black Market Clash EP and the triple-album Sandinista!. Terry Chimes, the band’s original drummer, came back onboard for the release of The Clash’s most successful album, Combat Rock, in 1982. The album reached number 2 in the UK and entered the Top 10 in the U.S., mainly due to the Top 10 hit, “Rock the Casbah.”

The band toured with The Who on their farewell tour and were often booed off stage during the tour, even though their album continued to be successful. Perhaps it was a harbinger of what was to come as the lineup started to fall apart. Chimes was again kicked out of the band in 1983 and replaced by former Cold Fish drummer Pete Howard. The Clash’s last major appearance ended up being a headlining slot at the U.S. Festival in California because Strummer and Simonon soon parted ways with Mick Jones.

In 1984, Jones went on to form Big Audio Dynamite. That same year, The Clash brought on guitarists Vince White and Nick Sheppard to replace Jones, but the new lineup never really took off. The band released their final album, Cut the Crap, in 1985, but received poor reviews. Later Strummer and Simonon denounced the album and officially broke up the band in 1986.

In November of 2002, Jones and Strummer reunited on stage for the first time in two decades to perform three Clash songs. It was for the encore of a Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros benefit show in London. Unfortunately, rumors and hopes for a Clash reunion ended when Strummer suddenly died of a heart attack the next month.

IFC Airs "Joe Strummer: The Future is Unwritten"

Many of you know Joe Strummer as the iconic lead singer of The Clash, but how many of you know the man behind the myth? IFC Entertainment recently explored the more personal side of Strummer’s life when it premiered Joe Strummer: The Future is Unwritten, a documentary written and directed by Julien Temple. The film earned a Grand Jury nomination at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year.

The film is part of IFC First Take and premiered simultaneously theatrically and on local cable’s On Demand platform. Earlier this year, Joe Strummer earned a Grand Jury nomination at the Sundance Film Festival.

"Julien Temple has created an extremely noteworthy film which provides a rare glimpse into the real life behind Clash front man Joe Strummer," said Jonathan Sehring, President of IFC Entertainment. "The documentary reveals a flawed, idealistic man who many only know as the lead singer of one of the most influential bands in rock and roll. Temple offers a thoughtful behind-the-scenes portrait, representing the true independent spirit of filmmaking."

The introspective rock doc depicts how the Turkish-born John Graham Mellor eventually morphed into the anti-establishment icon known to the world as Joe Strummer. Strummer’s complex life led him to champion good will and positive change to help undo and educate the world about the injustices of society. He led his life with a good conscience, which was reflected in his socially aware lyrics and music.

Temple features previously unearthed interviews with Strummer himself as well as stories from those close to Strummer. The film also colors the personal anecdotes with a diverse series of concert footage clips and tapes of his BBC radio program, enhancing the truly inspiring life story.

View the Joe Strummer: The Future is Unwritten trailer below.

The documentary is released with a killer soundtrack. Buy it here on Amazon and look below for the album art and tracklisting.

Tracklisting:
1. "White Riot," the Clash    
2. "Rock the Casbah," Racid Taha    
3. "Crawfish," Elvis Presley    
4. "Black Sheep Boy," Tim Hardin    
5. "Kick Out the Jams," MC5    
6. "Keys to Your Heart," the 101'ers    
7. "I'm So Bored With the U.S.A.," the Clash    
8. "Natty Rebel (2006 mix)," U-Roy    
9. "Armagideon Time," the Clash    
10. "Nervous Breakdown," Eddie Cochran    
11. "(In the) Pouring Rain," Clash II    
12. "Filibustero," Joe Strummer            
13. "Martha Cecilia," Andres Landeros    
14. "Minuet," Ernest Ranglin    
15. "Trash City," Latino Rockabilly War    
16. "Rangers Command," Woody Guthrie    
17. "Corrina, Corrina," Bob Dylan    
18. "Johnny Appleseed," Joe Strummer    
19. "To Love Somebody," Nina Simone    
20. "Willesden To Cricklewood," Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros

A Howlin' Halloween Mix

Here is the perfect spooky mix of music to get your howlin' Halloween party started!

[image from jack-o-lantern.com]

1. Cheeseburger - "Tiger"
2. Misfits - "Halloween"
3. New Order - "Spooky"
4. The Grates - "Howl"
5. Davie Bowie - "Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)"
6. Rocky Horror Picture Show - "Time Warp"
7. Weird Al Yankovic - "Smells Like Nirvana"
8. Queens of the Stone Age - "Monsters In the Parasol"
9. Ozzy Osbourne - "Crazy Train"
10. Black Sabbath - "Iron Man"
11. Beck - "Devil's Haircut"
12. Voxtrot - "Raised By Wolves"
13. Rob Zombie - "Living Dead Girl"
14. Metric - "Dead Disco"
15. Franz Ferdinand - "The Dark of the Matinee"
16. Bruce Springsteen - "Dancing in the Dark"
17. Smashing Pumpkins - "The World Is a Vampire"
18. The Beach Boys - "Monster Mash"
19. Gnarls Barkley - "The Boogie Monster"
20. Joy Division - "Dead Souls"
21. Michael Jackson - "Thriller"
22. Bauhaus - "Bela Lugosi's Dead"
23. Creedence Clearwater Revival - "Bad Moon Rising"
24. Nightmare Before Christmas - "This Is Halloween"
25. MC Hammer - "Addams Groove"

[Songs found on Facebook.com via iLike.com]

Songwriter Spotlight: Daniel Tashian of The Silver Seas

Nashville is known for nurturing classic songwriters -- the kind of songwriter who will last through the ages. I recently came upon a great band from Nashville called The Silver Seas. The band's music speaks to the lonely and romantic -- the every man and woman. Their universal songs are what I call instantly "gettable," making your leg shake along with each chord, each sweet note.

For their debut album, High Society, lead singer Daniel Tashian drew upon old sitcoms like The Odd Couple, Green Acres and Laverne & Shirley for inspiration. The album is out now on Cheap Lullaby Records.

Favorite place to write music: In my car. No instruments, no crutches, just raw ideas.

Latest inspiration: I just spent 3 days watching Michael Brauer mix. It's a totally fluid and inspired process for him. You can see his love of the work in every move; and most of all, he doesn't overthink anything, which is something I've sometimes guilty of.

What's the most personal song on your latest album?
"Imaginary Girl." I'm convinced Daniel wrote it about me.

If you could duet with anyone, who would it be and why?
Chrissie Hynde. I think we'd sound great together.

If you could fall asleep to any song, what would it be?
I guess it would have to be John Cage's "4'33". I can't fall asleep with music on.

** Visit the band's official website.

** Listen to songs on MySpace.

** Check out The Silver Seas in the recording studio for "Country Life" on YouTube below...

Concert Review: Film School - 10/25/07 @ Mercury Lounge (New York, NY)

Last summer I heard a rumor that Film School had broken up. This was disappointing news as I had just seen them at SXSW and really was beginning to love them. Turns out the band was just on hiatus, or maybe they came back to their senses and realized they couldn't just quit like that. What kind of happy ending would that be for a band called Film School?

Last night I went to see them at Mercury Lounge, and really enjoyed their heavy, dark, shoegazy set. Lead singer Greg Berten's vocals range from soft, dreamy coos to sensitive-guy mutters. And just as you're reaching a sleepy, meditative state, the band will launch into loud, guitar jams to shake you up. Their psychedelic music makes you want to thrash your hair around until you get dizzy from excitement. Film School just released their album, Hideout, on Beggars in September. They added a long blonde named Lorelei on bass who also adds whispery female vocals to the songs.

Montreal band Land of Talk opened for them, and it was my first time seeing them. I had heard a lot about this band, and ended up liking them. The lead singer Elizabeth Powell is a real charmer with her Bettie Seveert vocals. Her voice had real emotion and spirit, so the songs felt very intimate. I felt like the music could have been punched up a bit to reflect and enhance the softness of her vocals more, but overall I liked what I heard.

I caught a bit of another Canadian band called The Small Sins who had an overly excited keyboard player who liked to pound the tambourine on his chest. I liked the lead singer's vocals though, and there was one lyric that stuck with me -- "You can stay over but you can't sleep in my bed." Brilliant.

Check out the rest of the Film School tour dates:
10/26 Hoboken, NJ - Maxwells
10/28 Cleveland, OH - Beachland
10/29 Toronto, ONT - El Mocambo
10/30 Pontiac, MI - Pike Room
10/31 Chicago, IL - Schubas
11/01 Chicago, IL - Schubas
11/03 Minneapolis, MN - 400 Bar
11/05 Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge
11/08 San Diego, CA - Beauty Bar
11/15 Los Angeles, CA - Echoplex

Hustlin' and Flowin' @ CMJ Music Marathon

My philosophy this year at CMJ Music Marthon was to "go with the flow." I would have a loose plan each day with what I hoped to see, but generally I would just high-five friends and see where the day (and night) ended up taking me. This laid-back approach served me well at SXSW (a huge indie festival in Austin, TX) earlier this year, and it didn't steer me wrong at CMJ.

The Jealous Girlfriends @ Gothamist House

On Thursday, I hit up the Gothamist House again to see three great bands back-to-back -- The Jealous Girlfriends and The Big Sleep from Brooklyn and The Teeth from Philadelphia. I have to admit, I have sort of a girl-crush on the lead female singer Holly Miranda of The Jealous Girlfriends. But really, how could I not? She has one of the most distinctive, sultry, passionate female vocals I've heard in indie rock. I am glad to hear the band signed their first record deal this week with Canadian label Good Fences.

The Teeth @ Gothamist House

The Big Sleep @ Gothamist House

The Teeth took the stage and literally took a bite out of the Gothamist stage at White Rabbit -- they ended up breaking one of the overhead lights with a guitar. One of the guys in this band used to be in Dr. Dog, and the band has the same catchy hooks as the Dog but with a bit of a fiercer, more punk vibe. I was really excited to hear The Big Sleep play some new songs in their set. They just finished recording their second LP for French Kiss Records, and the new material is dreamier and softer than their first batch of songs on Son of the Tiger.

I ran into my friend Bob from Extrawack and Oxfam America, and we hit a Microsoft Zune cocktail hour at the Bowery Hotel. I had never been to this hotel before so it was nice to quench my thirst for a bit before heading back out. Later on I hit up the Fader Sideshow again just before it closed its doors for the night. I missed Alberta Cross, but knew I would see them at some point later in the week.

Alberta Cross @ Bowery Presents Office

On Friday, I went into the city to check out a happy hour at the offices of Bowery Presents, who are rapidly growing big indie promoters in New York in charge of the venues Mercury Lounge, Bowery Ballroom, Webster Hall, Music Hall of Williamsburg and Terminal 5. I call them the school of rock because you can start out as an unknown indie band at Mercury Lounge and eventually end up moving your way up their venue ladder to headline Terminal 5. They had Alberta Cross playing a stripped down set in their conference room. I fell in love instantly and added the band to my "must see in a real venue" list.

Dragons of Zynth @ Fader Sideshow

I left to see Dragons of Zynth at the Fader Sideshow. DoZ is experimental afro-punk that gets infectious as the music builds into a frenzy. After their set I headed over to Filter's party at Ben Sherman in SoHo. Andy Smith formerly of Portishead was DJing a great mix of soulful oldies and poppy tunes that I started dancing to. It was the perfect way to set myself up for Santogold and Spank Rock over at Irving Plaza (I refuse to call this venue by its new name, haha!). I caught a little bit of Earl Greyhound, a fantastic classic rock trio who recently toured with Chris Cornell. They are made to play stadiums.

Spank Rock @ Irving Plaza

I had recently seen Santogold open for Bjork at Madison Square Garden and thought she was like Gwen Stefani meets M.I.A. (M.I.A. was representing at the CMJ show, too). This time around she shared the stage with Spank Rock, and it was a full-on raunchy house party onstage. It was actually my first time seeing Spank Rock, and I had to admit I loved the filthy, ballsy lyrics and all the attitude that they served with it. It had the entire audience up on their feet dancing as emcee Naeem Juwan poured vodka straight from the bottle into the mouths of his fans. I loved that Spank Rock shared the set and stage with Santogold, balancing their testosterone with the over-the-top, feisty attitude of Santi White and her hype woman. I also became instantly mesmerized by the skills of Amanda Blank, who also just signed to Downtown Records. I can't stop listening to her song "Take It Easy" with M.I.A. (listen to it on her MySpace).

I was so happy when Saturday came, and I knew this would be the last day of CMJ activities. I rolled out to see one of my favorite new bands called Coin Under Tongue open for Spoon at Roseland. The band is led by the amazing Joe Kelly, who sounds like a wild-n-crazy Southern Kurt Cobain, and George from Dirty on Purpose plays bass with his brother Greg on drums. (In full disclosure, I manage Dirty on Purpose.) Britt Daniel from Spoon is a fan and a friend of the band, and this is the second time he's added them to a Spoon bill. Musically, it doesn't make much sense since Spoon is so poppy and easy to listen to and Coin Under Tongue is aggressive and jaw-droppingly spastic, but thinking outside of the box and not caring what people think of your opening band because you like them is kind of really awesome. I never made it inside the venue to actually see them because Roseland didn't let badges in until after the Coin Under Tongue set (lame), but I overheard another badgeholder say "My friend who is inside just texted me and told me the opening band is really bad anyways so it doesn't matter that we're not inside yet." Classic!

Cool Kids @ Fader Sideshow

Gabby Glaser and the Great Ones @ Mean Red Party - Don Hill's

I headed downtown to kill some time at the Fader Sideshow (again!) and caught a short set by Cool Kids. I am so glad for this happy accident as I ended up really enjoying what I heard. I will definitely have to check them out for real another time... Later on in the night, I went to see my artist Gabby Glaser and the Great Ones rock it out at Don Hill's for the Meanred party. I haven't been to Don Hill's since Tiswas was hot there, and that was a couple years ago at least. Meanred are promoters who throw great parties all over, and this was no exception.

Unfortunately, I had to jet after Gabby's set and ended up missing another great band I like, Cassettes Won't Listen. Where was I heading? I got a text a little earlier that night that Doug from Dirty on Purpose would be filling in for John for a spontaneous Peter Bjorn and John set at the Almost Gold party at Galapagos. Doug had previously toured with PBJ playing bongos, so this was a sight I had to see in person as he had never played drums with them until this moment.

Black Kids @ Almost Gold Party - Galapagos

I got to Galapagos in time to catch a few songs by Black Kids, who are managed by Almost Gold. I was a little bit too tired to absorb the full awesomeness of their music, but made a mental note to check them out again another time because I liked what I heard. Then I geared myself up for the surprise PBJ set. I've seen so much PBJ this year (probably at least five times), but seriously, I never get sick of them or their music and find myself whistling "Young Folks" all the time. The set was super-fun and casual, but really exploded at the end when they went crazy and jammed at the end. Check it out on YouTube below...

Peter Bjorn and... Doug @ Galapagos

Learn As You Go @ CMJ

I spent the last few posts focusing on the "music showcase" side of CMJ, which is a huge part of the festival that appeals to both fans and music industry professionals alike. But another important aspect of CMJ is what is happening behind the scenes -- networking between musicians and the pros who support them and their careers.

On Tuesday night, I opted to avoid the show circuit in favor of going to a few parties to hang out with some industry friends. What I love about CMJ is that it's set on my home turf of New York City. Even better, the festival has moved from Lincoln Center to New York University campgrounds (my alma mater) in the heart of the Village, where diversity and creativity fiercely pulses and thrives. New York is a city that inspires and surprises and accepts -- so it's a perfect setting for the College Music Journal's indie festival.

I met up with an artist I manage, Gabby Glaser, who is a co-founder of Luscious Jackson, and we hit the ASCAP cocktail party at Whiskey Ward. I used to work at ASCAP, which stands for the American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers. ASCAP is a performing rights organization that collects performance royalties for songwriters and composers. While most countries around the world have one PRO, the United States happens to have three. The other two are BMI (Broadcast Music Inc) and SESAC (Society of European Stage Authors & Composers). As a songwriter or composer, you can only belong to one. As a publisher, you can be part of all three.

Afterwards, I headed over to Mama's Bar for a "Ladies In Music" gathering. I am of the philosophy that building a community of people around you is an important part of being successful in this often cold and disillusioning industry. "Ladies In Music" is a Google Group that encourages women in the field to help each other. It's brilliant.

Afterwards, I went over to Cake Shop and ran into some friends outside of the Dutch music showcase. I saw the Alt-Country/Americana band Sam Champion walking down the street playing their music while a video camera captured their performance (I suspect it won't be too long until we see that footage on YouTube as a viral video).

I continued on to the 'Sup Magazine party at 200 Orchard, where I ended my night. There were a lot of great DJs there -- The Bangers, Lauren Flax, Sweatshop Labor NYC and more. Outside the venue, I ran into a couple guys from this band I've been following, Sankofa. They are still a pretty new band, but I see a lot of potential in their music, which can't really be put into any one genre. It's punk, it's R&B, it's 80s, it's funk... I love watching a band develop and progress, and I think they are heading in the right direction.

I also ran into Elliot Aronow who is A&Ring and basically running RCRD LBL, Downtown Record's digital blog-based record label (which I think will revolutionize the way music is distributed to fans), to be launched next month. RCRD LBL plans to license songs from bands they like and believe in and give the songs to fans for free via their blog, generating revenue instead from website advertising and licensing opportunities. The format is so radically different from every other label structure -- I really admire people who are willing to take a chance and react to the declining stats in music with a new model.

My voice started to fade from all the yapping, so I called it a night to rest up for the rest of the week!

Unofficial CMJ Parties

Another side of CMJ Music Marathon are all the shows that are considered "unofficial" day parties or shows. This year there are quite a few -- too many to be named, but they usually include free admission, free booze and free swag!

On Wednesday, I started my day by participating on a CMJ panel about artist management called "Manage This!" I was included with other great managers like Mark Kates (Mission of Burma), Doug LeFrak (Motion City Soundtrack), Blaze James (Coheed & Cambria) and Dan Efram (Apples In Stereo).

Afterwards, I headed over to The Fader Sideshow (an unofficial CMJ day party) to see a band that Mark Kates manages - MGMT, who are signed to Columbia. The Fader Sideshow is a fun place to just lounge for a bit. They had Guitar Hero 3 in one corner, free Budweiser Select and SoCo punch and of course, tons of copies of The Fader magazine lying around.

Then I split to hang at The Gothamist House (another unofficial CMJ day party) and ran into Stephen and Troy who book and promote the South Street Seaport Music Festival in New York during the summer (one of my favorite free summer concert series in the city). I also got to see one of my favorite music directors -- Shiv from WOXY.com, who were broadcasting live from Gothamist House. I saw a little bit of a solo acoustic set from The Forms before I bounced.

I had only a little bit of time before I needed to be in Brooklyn for Gabby Glaser's showcase at Union Hall. So I made a quick pit stop at the Dovecote Records showcase at Fat Baby. I caught a bit of one of their singer-songwriters, Trevor Giuliani, then made the trek to Park Slope. I got to Union Hall in time to catch most of the Ladybug Transistor set, and then Gabby took the stage with her band The Great Ones. Unfortunately, I couldn't stick around for The Rosebuds. I hopped into a cab and headed over to Williamsburg just in time for the Dirty on Purpose set at Death By Audio.

It was at this time that my legs started to give, and I felt like collapsing. I soon sent myself home to sleep and then do it all over again the next day...

The Rest of My CMJ Music Marathon Show Picks

Here are the rest of my show picks during the CMJ Music Marathon this year for the last few days of the music fest. There are a number of bands playing multiple times during the fest, so plan carefully and have fun bouncing from show to show. Remember to bring ear plugs and wear comfortable shoes. Let Rocktober officially begin!

Thursday, October 18, 2007
Blammos @ Ace of Clubs - 7:30pm
Minipop @ Ace of Clubs - 8:20pm
Scissors For Lefty @ Ace of Clubs - 9:20pm
The Glaciers @ Alphabet Lounge - 9:30pm
We Are Wolves @ Annex - 9pm
Black Kids @ Annex - 10pm
Mates of State @ Annex - 12am midnight
Hallelujah the Hills @ Arlene's Grocery - 9pm
Get Him Eat Him @ Arlene's Grocery - 11pm
Palomar @ Arlene's Grocery - 12am midnight
Centro-matic @ Arlene's Grocery - 1am
The Epochs @ Blender Theater at Gramercy - 8:30pm
Loyal Divide @ Banjo Jim's - 8:30pm
Datarock @ Blender Theater at Gramercy - 10pm
1990s @ Blender Theater at Gramercy - 12:30am
Spoon @ Blender Theater at Gramercy - 12:30am
Tiny Masters of Today @ Bowery Ballroom - 9pm
1990s @ Bowery Ballroom - 10pm
Pela @ Bowery Ballroom - 11pm
British Sea Power @ Bowery Ballroom - 12am midnight
Big Bear @ Cake Shop - 10pm
High Places @ Cake Shop - 11:30pm
Pterodactyl - Cake Shop - 12:15am
KRS-One @ Club Element - 8pm
Beat the Devil @ Crash Mansion - 12am midnight
The Low Anthem @ Cutting Room - 7:30pm
Eagle*Seagull @ Day Stage - Puck Building - 1pm
Connan & the Mockasins @ Day Stage - Puck Building - 2pm
Wild Light @ Day Stage - Puck Building - 3pm
Princeton @ Delancey - 8pm
The Checks @ Don Hill's - 8:45pm
Les Breastfeeders @ Don Hill's - 9:30pm
The Sad Little Stars @ Europa - 7:30pm
The Shalitas @ Europa - 8:30pm
Winston @ Fat Baby - 7:30pm
Cadence Weapon @ Fat Baby - 9:30pm
Wintersleep @ Fat Baby - 10:30pm
Uncut @ Fat Baby - 11:30pm
Phonograph @ Fontanas - 1am
Jordi Rosen @ Googie's Lounge - 7:30pm
Ali Marcus @ Googie's Lounge - 10:30pm
Thunderheist @ Highline Ballroom - 8pm
Yo Majesty @ Highline Ballroom - 8:45pm
...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead @ Highline Ballroom - 9:30pm
Enon @ Highline Ballroom - 10:30pm
Octopus Project @ Higline Ballroom - 11:15pm
GBH Resident DJs @ Hiro Ballroom - 8pm
LA Riots @ Hiro Ballroom - 12am midnight
Elk City @ Joe's Pub - 11:30pm
Camphor @ Joe's Pub - 12:30am
Speck Mountain @ Knitting Factory Main Stage - 8pm
Le Loup @ Knitting Factory Main Stage - 9pm
The Papercuts @ Knitting Factory Main Stage - 9:30pm
Bowerbirds @ Knitting Factory Main Stage - 10:15pm
His Name Is Alive @ Knitting Factory Main Stage - 11pm
Fourth of July @ Knitting Factory Old Office - 9pm
Octoberman @ Knitting Factory Old Office - 11pm
St. Vincent @ Knitting Factory Main Stage - 12am midnight
The Show Is the Rainbow @ Lit Lounge - 11pm
Junius @ Lit Lounge - 12am midnight
Izabo @ Living Room - 7pm
Holly Conlan @ Living Room - 7:45pm
KaiserCartel @ Living Room - 11pm
Turzi @ Luna Lounge - 10pm
Danava @ Luna Lounge - 11pm
Meat Puppets @ Maxwell's - 10pm
Jay Reatard @ Mercury Lounge - 11pm
Nous Non Plus @ Club Midway - 11pm
Craig Wedren @ Mo Pitkin's - 8pm
Rock Plaza Central @ Mo Pitkin's - 9pm
Simian Mobile Disco @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - 12am midnight
The Big Sleep @ Piano's - 10:30pm
Apollo Heights @ Piano's - 1am
Orba Squara @ Southpaw - 9pm
Imperial Teen @ Southpaw - 11pm
New Young Pony Club @ Studio B - 1am
The End of the World @ The Tank - 8:45pm
Elizabeth Harper @ Trash - 11pm
Let's Go Sailing @ Union Hall - 9pm
1900s @ Union Hall - 10pm
Neptune @ Union Pool - 12am midnight
Walter Meego @ Webster Hall - 9pm

Friday, October 19, 2007
Elevator Action @ Ace of Clubs - 9pm
The Houstons @ Ace of Clubs - 10pm
Age of Rings @ Alphabet Lounge - 7:30pm
Dead Heart Bloom @ Alphabet Lounge - 9pm
Head of Femur @ Arlene's Grocery - 11pm
Del the Funky Homosapien @ B.B. Kings - 11pm
The Citizens @ BAMCafe - 9:30pm
The Epochs @ BAMCafe - 9:30pm
Sons and Daughters @ Blender Theater at Gramercy - 12am midnight
Maccabees @ Blender Theater at Gramercy - 12:30am
Drug Rug @ Bowery Ballroom - 7pm
1900s @ Bowery Ballroom - 8pm
Sahara Hotnights @ Bowery Ballroom - 9pm
Maccabees @ Bowery Ballroom - 11pm
The Spinto Band @ Bowery Ballroom - 1am
Theo Angell @ Cake Shop - 2pm
Essie Jain @ Cake Shop - 5pm
Papercuts @ Cake Shop - 5:30 pm
Mike Wexler @ Cake Shop - 6pm
Scotland Yard Gospel Choir @ Cake Shop - 9pm
The Cotton Jones Basket Ride @ Cake Shop - 10pm
MGMT @ Crash Mansion - 12am midnight
Bowerbirds @ Day Stage - Puck Building - 1pm
Bling Kong @ Delancey - 8pm
Picastro @ Delancey - 9pm
Cale Parks @ Delancey - 10pm
Narrator @ Delancey - 12am midnight
Bound Stems @ Delancey - 1am
Ezra Furman & The Harpoons @ Fat Baby - 6pm
Spouse @ Fat Baby - 8:30pm
King of Prussia @ Fat Baby - 9:10pm
Ruby Isle @ Fat Baby - 10:30pm
Santogold @ Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza - 8:50pm
Earl Greyhound @ Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza - 9:40pm
Sightings @ Knitting Factory Main Stage - 9pm
Japanther @ Knitting Factory Main Stage - 10pm
Old Time Relijun @ Knitting Factory Main Stage - 11pm
The Mall @ Knitting Factory Old Office - 8:30pm
Shellshag @ Knitting Factory Old Office - 8:45pm
Made in Mexico @ Knitting Factory Tap Bar - 9:30pm
Health @ Knitting Factory Tap Bar - 10:15pm
The Apes @ Knitting Factory Tap Bar - 11:45pm
Aa @ Knitting Factory Tap Bar - 12:30am
Essie Jain @ Living Room - 8pm
Let's Go Sailing @ Living Room - 12am midnight
Blackstrap @ Luna Lounge - 11pm
The Warlocks @ Luna Lounge - 12am midnight
Nouvellas @ Magnetic Field - 8pm
The Above @ Magnetic Field - 8:45pm
Sister Lovers @ Maxwell's - 9:30pm
The Walkmen @ Mercury Lounge - 12am midnight
The Jealous Girlfriends @ Club Midway - 8pm
The Panda Band @ Club Midway - 11pm
Illinois @ Club Midway - 12am midnight
The Capitol Years @ Piano's - 10:45pm
The Teeth @ Piano's - 11:30pm
Kudu @ Rebel - 9pm
M.I.A. @ Terminal 5 - 8pm
Mason Proper @ Trash - 8:45pm
Airborne Toxic Event @ Union Hall - 8pm
Spectacular Bird @ Union Hall - 8pm
Takka Takka @ Union Pool - 10:30pm
O'Death @ Union Pool - 11:30pm

Saturday, October 20, 2007
Via Audio @ Ace of Clubs - 2:20pm
Hopewell @ Annex - 9pm
Bryan Scary and The Shredding Tears @ Annex - 10pm
Jesu @ Blender Theater at Gramercy - 10pm
Le Loup @ Bowery Ballroom - 9pm
The Brunettes @ Bowery Ballroom - 11pm
Band of Horses @ Bowery Ballroom - 12am midnight
The Secret Life of Sofia @ Delancey - 7pm
Man In Gray @ Delancey - 10pm
A Place To Bury Strangers @ Delancey - 11pm
Gabby Glaser @ Don Hill's - 12am midnight
Cassettes Won't Listen @ Don Hill's - 12:30am
The Sterns @ Fat Baby - 9pm
The New Amsterdams @ Knitting Factory Main Stage - 10:45pm
Spottiswoode & His Enemies @ Living Room - 11pm
The Hard Lessons @ Magnetic Field - 8:30pm
The Ettes @ Magnetic Field - 10:30pm
Jay Reatard @ Maxwell's - 10:30pm
Dragons of Zynth @ Mercury Lounge - 9pm
Professor Murder @ Mercury Lounge - 11pm
Harlem Shakes @ Mercury Lounge - 12am midnight
Art Goblins @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - 9:30pm
Matt & Kim @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - 12am midnight
Tiny Animals @ Piano's - 9pm
Great Northern @ Piano's - 10:45pm
Other Passengers @ Piano's - 1:45am
The Ponys @ Roseland - 7:30pm
Spoon @ Roseland - 8:30pm
Kevin Devine @ Southpaw - 8:30pm
Justice @ Terminal 5 - 9pm
Aeroplane Pageant @ Union Hall - 8pm
Princeton @ Union Hall - 9pm
Centro-matic @ Union Pool - 3:55pm

More 2007 CMJ Music Marathon Show Picks

For your convenience, I am continuing to listen to bands performing at the  2007 CMJ Music Marathon and picking my favorites for you. Wow, I think my ears are starting to ring after surfing so many MySpace sites! Here are my picks for the second day of the festival...

Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Fred @ 205 Chrystie - 9pm
Channel One @ 205 Chrystie - 12am midnight
Alamo Race Track @ Ace of Clubs - 8pm
Smile Smile @ Alphabet Lounge - 8pm
The Purrs @ Alphabet Lounge - 9:30pm
Summerbirds in the Cellar @ Alphabet Lounge - 10:15pm
Your Black Star @ Arlene's Grocery - 7:30pm
Brooke Waggoner @ Arlene's Grocery - 8:15pm
Tacks, the boy disaster @ Arlene's Grocery -  10:30pm
The Silent Years @ Arlene's Grocery - 12am midnight
The Felice Brothers @ Avalon - 7:20pm
White Denim @ Avalon - 8:10pm
Mates of State @ Avalon - 9pm
The Walkmen @ Avalon - 11:10pm
Mika Miko @ Blender Theater at Gramercy - 7pm
Mary Timony @ Blender Theater at Gramercy - 8pm
Marnie Stern @ Blender Theater at Gramercy - 9pm
Xiu Xiu @ Blender Theater at Gramercy - 10pm
White Williams @ Bowery Ballroom - 9pm
No Age @ Bowery Ballroom - 10pm
Dan Deacon @ Bowery Ballroom - 11pm
Deerhunter @ Bowery Ballroom - 12am midnight
Mouser @ Cakeshop - 8:50pm
Ho-Ag @ Cakeshop - 9:40pm
Christopher Denny @ Canal Room - 8:30pm
Arizona @ Canal Room - 9:15pm
Die Romantik @ Canal Room - 11:30pm
Dragonette @ Canal Room - 12:30am
Kilroy @ Crash Mansion - 8pm
The Giraffes @ Crash Mansion - 11pm
The Hourly Radio @ Crash Mansion - 12am midnight
Rock Plaza Central @ Day Stage - Puck Building - 1pm
The Five O'Clock Heroes @ The Delancey - 7pm
Le Castle Vania @ The Delancey upstairs - 9pm
Cut Off Your Hands @ The Delancey - 9pm
Foreign Born @ The Delancey - 10pm
Oh No! Oh My! @ The Delancey - 11pm
The Deadly Syndrome @ The Delancey - 12am midnight
Blake (Moving Units) @ The Delancey upstairs - 1am
Connan and the Mockasins @ The Delancey - 2am
The Vandelles @ Europa  - 9:30pm
Theo and the Skyscrapers @ Europa - 11:30pm
The Late Greats @ Fat Baby - 8:20pm
Tim Williams @ Fat Baby - 9pm
Bad Veins @ Fat Baby - 9:40pm
Mason Proper @ Fat Baby - 10:20pm
Middle Distance Runner @ Fontana's - 7pm
Search/Rescue @ Fontana's - 10pm
Christy & Emily @ Glasslands Gallery - 8pm
Psychic Ills @ Glasslands Gallery - 9pm
TK Webb @ Glasslands Gallery - 10pm
The Cool Kids @ Hiro Ballroom - 10:30pm
Kid Sister @ Hiro Ballroom - 10:30pm
Nick Catchdubs @ Hiro Ballroom - 10:30pm
A-Trak @ Hiro Ballroom - 10:30pm
Bella @ Knitting Factory Old Office - 9:30pm
The Awkward Stage @ Knitting Factory Old Office - 10:30pm
Golden City @ Knitting Factory Tap Bar - 8pm
Team Robespierre @ Knitting Factory Tap Bar - 10pm
Ida Maria @ Knitting Factory Tap Bar - 11pm
We Are Wolves @ Knitting Factory Tap Bar - 12am midnight
Charlemagne @ Lion's Den - 9pm
Via Audio @ Lion's Den - 10pm
Meat Puppets @ Lion's Den - 11pm
The Section Quartet @ Lit Lounge - 10pm
Autodrone @ Lit Lounge - 11pm
Jeremy Jay @ Luna Lounge - 9:30pm
Hornet Leg @ Luna Lounge - 10:15pm
Adrian Orange & Her Band @ Luna Lounge - 10:45pm
Saturday Looks Good To Me @ Luna Lounge - 11pm   
Pigeon John @ Luna Lounge - 12am
The Rosewood Thieves @ Mercury Lounge - 8pm
The Little Ones @ Mercury Lounge - 11pm
Robbers on High Street @ Mercury Lounge -12am midnight
Holler, Wild Rose @ Club Midway - 7pm
Billy Harvey @ Club Midway - 9pm
Yeasayer @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - 9pm
Sam Champion @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - 10pm
Cadence Weapon @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - 11pm
Foals @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - 12am
A Place To Bury Strangers @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - 1am
Chairlift @ Piano's - 10pm
The Gaskets @ R Bar - 9pm
The Black & White Years @ R Bar - 10pm
Bearclaws @ R Bar - 11pm
The Smittens @ The Tank - 7pm
Velcro Stars @ The Tank - 9pm
M Coast @ The Tank - 10pm
Casper & The Cookies @ The Tank - 11pm
Ladybug Transistor @ Union Hall - 9pm
Gabby Glaser (Luscious Jackson) @ Union Hall - 10pm
Lewis & Clarke @ Union Pool - 9pm
The Black Swans @ Union Pool - 10pm

More picks  later this week...

CMJ Music Marathon 2007

So we are going to take a short break from the usual Lifeskool TV blog programming to bring you the scoop on all things CMJ. The CMJ Music Marathon is in its 27th year, and has been an indie force in discovering new bands and seeing longtime favorites... and the chaos and good times start next week!

That's right. From October 16-20, the New York City concert scene grows even more intense as a slew of bands rock around town. The Music Marathon can get a little confusing at times with the endless list of shows going on, but that's why it's important for every attendee to be organized and plan ahead.

We are going to highlight some of the shows and bands you should check out...

Tuesday, October 16
Syme @ Ace of Clubs - 7pm
The Primms @ Ace of Clubs - 12am midnight
Terry Poison @ Ace of Clubs - 9pm
The Glaciers @ Alphabet Lounge - 9:30pm
Papertrigger @ Alphabet Lounge - 10:15pm
Mixtapes & Cellmates @ Arlene's Grocery - 7pm
The High Class Elite @ Arlene's Grocery - 8:30pm
Neimo @ Arlene's Grocery - 9:15pm
The Future Kings of Nowhere @ Banjo Jim's - 7:45pm
Blue Scholars @ Blender Theater at Gramercy - 9pm
Q-Tip @ Blender Theater @ Gramercy - 10:30pm
The Most Serene Republic @ Bowery Ballroom - 9pm
Miracle Fortress @ Bowery Ballroom - 8pm
Dean & Britta @ Bowery Ballrom - 10pm
The Rosebuds @ Bowery Ballroom - 11pm
C-Mon & Kypski @ Cakeshop - 11pm
Aux Raus @ Cakeshop - 12am midnight
De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig @ Cakeshop - 1am
The Beasts of Eden @ Crash Mansion - 9pm
Oppenheimer @ Crash Mansion - 10pm
The GoStation @ Crash Mansion - 12am midnight
Takka Takka @ Day Stage - Puck Building - 1pm
Saturday Looks Good To Me @ Day Stage - Puck Building - 3pm
Jennifer O'Connor @ Day Stage - Puck Building - 4pm
The Picture @ The Delancey - 9pm
Giddy-Up, Helicopter @ Fontana's - 7:30pm
Luke Temple @ Fontana's - 8:15pm
Super Volcano @ Luna Lounge - 10:30pm
Sam Champion @ Piano's - 11:15pm
The Rosewood Thieves @ Southpaw - 11:30pm
My Teenage Stride @ Union Hall - 9:30pm
Dragons of Zynth @ Union Pool - 11pm
Celebration @ Union Pool - 12am midnight
Bouncing Souls @ Webster Hall - 10pm

I'll have more picks for you as the week goes on...

This Week's New Releases

Here's the roundup of this week's new music releases and what the artists and critics are saying about them...

The 1900s - Cold & Kind (Parasol)
Buy It @ Amazon

"Bigger isn't necessarily better. I mean, some of the best stuff out there is just one person singing and playing guitar like Dylan or Townes or Willie Nelson. But to do what we want to do, you need bigger. You need backup singers and string players and an occasional horn player and before you know it, you can barely fit on stage." Charlie Ransford, The 1900s [Source: Shake Your Fist]

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Scared Famous (Hall of Records)
Buy It @ Amazon

"It's not about the songs. You cant' separate the production from songs. You can have a lackluster song but given proper production it's an amazing song, and vice versa." - Ariel Pink [Source: Junkmedia]

Cake - B-Sides and Rarities (Upbeat)
Buy It @ Amazon

"It's our premise that there's nothing weird about doing a cover to begin with, so the way that that idea sort of gets pounced upon is a little strange to us...In a way, it's a less egocentric aesthetic in these other genres [jazz and country]. We sometimes feel more kinship to those other genres than we do to rock sometimes, in terms of where we're coming from, you know, philosophically." - John McCrea, Cake [Source: Bullz-Eye]

Dan In Real Life Original Soundtrack - Music By Sondre Lerche (Capitol)
Buy It @ Amazon

"[Director Peter Hedges] wanted a handmade feeling for the soundtrack... We kept everything minimalistic and natural. He's allergic to big Hollywood strings. I actually (did some other) stuff myself because I'm a horrible piano player. Finally the universe found a use for me. I got my big break. I've never been involved in writing music for a film before ... it's a daring move on his part. Also, it's very un-typical of Hollywood to hire some unknown to score. I was so flattered. That gave me a certain amount of confidence I needed going into the production." - Sondre Lerche [Source: Daily Bulletin]

Division Day - Beartrap Island (Eenie Meenie)
Buy It @ Amazon

"I think this one is put together as a more cohesive whole -- not in a concept record sort of way, although it could probably work that way on some levels. But basically, it's just better than the other stuff. It has more good." - Ryan Wilson, Division Day [Source: Radio Free Silver Lake]

Kevin Michael - Kevin Michael (Downtown)
Buy It @ Amazon

"I am that artist that walks that very fine line that not everybody walks on. That comes from my background and my growin' up, especially the different types of music that were being played around me at such a young age. It's also because I was never vocally trained; I am totally self-taught. It was just me and my stereo and going through CDs or albums. That's why my music sounds the way it does." - Kevin Michael [Source: Artist Direct]

Mobius Band - Heaven (Misra)
Buy It @ Amazon

"I think we are probably worried less about what is organic or electronic rather than just not limiting ourselves to any particular sound... Specifically with Heaven, Noam got really into 'circuit bending' keyboards last year, so he was taking apart $5 toy Casio's with a soldering iron and turning them into these amazing, sophisticated machines that sound like a more interesting version of whatever plug-in is popular now. His attic is full of these great Frankenstein instruments. So there are a lot of sounds from those circuit-bent keyboards on the album." - Ben Sterling, Mobius Band [Source: More in the Monitors]

The Pipettes - We Are the Pipettes (Cherry Tree)
Buy It @ Amazon

"Sometimes you do get treated in a different way and we're constantly asked to justify ourselves in ways that blokes aren't, but at the same time there's three of us and we don't really let anything phase us generally." [Source: Popworld]

PJ Harvey - White Chalk (Island)
Buy It @ Amazon

"[Stories from the City] definitely did what I was trying to do - which was to make an album full of great pop songs. But that's not really where my heart is. It was more of an experiment with the craft rather than the heart, if that makes any sense. This album - and, I think, Is This Desire and To Bring You My Love - were times when I felt the craft and the heart married well. Other times, I just go through phases where it's more of an exercise in exploring something, and not really where I want to be in my soul." - PJ Harvey [Source: The Guardian]

We Are Wolves - Total Magique (Dare To Care)
Buy It @ Amazon

"On their sophomore album, We Are Wolves use mystical powers to bring their sound to a new level of auditive threat. Total Magique unleashes the raw sounds of the trio in a mesmerizing whirlwind of electro psychedelic kraut punk." [Source: Smartpunk]

Songwriter Spotlight: Matt Pond of matt pond PA

Even though I grew up near the City of Brotherly Love, I haven't been totally in love with all the music that has been born from Philadelphia. Sure, I love Dr. Dog, the Capitol Years and other various bands that have caught my eye over the last few years. Add to the list matt pond PA, who I have developed a serious affection for.

They've been together as a band since 1998, though they experienced lineup changes when singer and songwriter Pond moved to New York City. I first heard of the band because a friend of a friend was in the band. Their music makes me feel like I'm soaring in the sky on a perfectly breezy day, and their eighth LP, Last Light, continues the lovelorn discography.

I recently interviewed Matt Pond who revealed how his songs are often written and what inspires those catchy melodies lately...

Favorite place to write music:
I can write anywhere -- in living rooms, in cars, in forests. It is the position that must remain the same -- supine, with guitar balanced across my stomach.

I lie in the limbo between day and night --  write songs while I fall in and out of sleep -- where day and dreams are hard to distinguish from each other. (I'm making it sound weirdly magical -- I'm sure it's far below that -- eyes half open -- strumming and mumbling -- strumbling).

Unsure whether it is some Freudian system of reaching revelation, or that I am just lazy -- all I know is that I do my best work from my back.

Latest inspiration:
Turning women into woodland creatures. From all back-driven dreams. Maybe from the nightmares. I want to control what I will never be able to control -- time and women.

What's the most personal song on your latest album and why?
“Giving it all Away.” The idea is that I blew it.

There is nothing quite like seeing someone you love fall in love with someone else. Breathtaking views.

I would cut off a limb to avoid this past state. I would.

If you could duet with anyone, who would it be and why?
Did it. With Neko Case.

Beyond that, I would have to make up an answer.

....I did always have a thing for Chrissie Hynde. But I don't wear leather trousers. I really should own a pair of leather trousers.

If you could fall asleep to any song, what would it be and why?
I'm always falling asleep to songs. If I were falling asleep forever, I'd choose Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands. Because of the epic beauty of the words. And because it's long -- and I'd like to stick around just a little longer.

** Visit the band's official website.

** Listen to songs on MySpace.

** Watch the music video for "So Much Trouble" on YouTube below...

Music Biz Buzz

Here's what's buzzing in the music biz this week...

Will online broadcasters survive with growing costs of operation? [Source: New York Times]

Yahoo is contemplating new changes to its entertainment and music channels. [Source: Digital Music News]

Following Warner Music Group's lead, Sony BMG is licensing its catalogue to Imeem, and the other two majors, Universal and EMI, are close to inking deals, too. [Source: Billboard]

Martin Scorsese is going to direct a documentary on George Harrison. [Source: Yahoo! Music]

Beastie Boys are nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. [Source: Rolling Stone]

Amazon has launched the public BETA of their online DRM-free mp3 store. [Source: Mi2N]

This Week's New Releases

Here's the roundup of this week's new music releases...

Athlete - Beyond the Neighbourhood (Astralwerks)
Buy It @ Amazon

"I hope the songs on Beyond the Neighbourhood have that same kind of emotional integrity, things that we genuinely chat about and think about. That’s why it’s called Beyond the Neighbourhood.... It just has a lot of humanity to it, with questions, confusion and uncertainties, but it’s still uplifting and has a lot of hope in there." - Tim Wanstall, Athlete [Source: Subba-Cultcha]

Devendra Banhart - Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon (Beggars/XL)
Buy It @ Amazon

"Every time I'm in a new place I have a whole new set of influences and inspirations, so it always comes out differently. The themes of life are always changing. The sun and the moon – they look the same all the time, but they're always changing, and they're not going to be there forever. So here, I think we just had to honour each moment." - Devendra Banhart [Source: Uncut]

The Bird and The Bee - Please Clap Your Hands (Blue Note)
Buy It @ Amazon

"The Bird & The Bee evokes 1960s imagery with its new album, topped off with a mod fashion sensibility and an album cover to go with it.  They modernize the genre with their lyrics, which are at times cynical and sarcastic, full of female irreverence for the male counterpart." [Source: Digital Media Wire]

Michael Ian Black - I'm a Wonderful Man (Comedy Central)
Buy It @ Amazon

"The truth is I didn’t struggle, which probably isn’t what you don’t want to hear. I started this comedy group in college, and that’s pretty much all I’ve been doing since then. We worked really, really hard in college and through a series of luck and arrogance ended up with our own TV show and have kind of been going form there. I mean I shouldn’t be so flip about it. I do struggle; I struggle every day, because it’s hard to do what I do. It’s just hard work. But it doesn’t feel like a struggle, because I enjoy doing it. I would say if you want to get into comedy, just do it. That’s the nice thing about living when we live is that you have endless opportunities to create content, meaning comedy, for endless number of outlets. You can perform live, you can perform for the Internet, there’s just a million ways to go about it and no one of those ways is right and no one of those ways is wrong. You just follow your instinct and it will take you where it takes you." - Michael Ian Black [Source: Columbia Chronicle]

Jose Gonzalez - In Our Nature (Mute)
Buy It @ Amazon

"When I decided to stop touring, I went home in November and decided to stay home until I had the second record finished. And as soon as I started going to the studio on a daily basis, I realized why I liked music, why I liked playing music, because I almost forgot while touring as I really wasn’t writing, but more repeating the same songs over and over. It’s just a lot different creatively." - Jose Gonzalez [Source: Ground Control]

Iron & Wine - The Shepherd's Dog (Sub Pop)
Buy It @ Amazon

"I am not interested in political writing, because it's limited in its scope. I try to write general, human kinds of songs, which suggest more than they explain. You can take a lot of different meanings, but hopefully everyone feels some kind of recognition. Propaganda songs are more of an essay than a poem." - Sam Beam, Iron & Wine [Source: The Independent]

matt pond PA - Last Light (Altitude)
Buy It @ Amazon

"Most of [the songs] came together last summer. An onslaught of songs. I tend to overwhelm myself with my own music." Matt Pond, matt pond PA [Source: Alankomaat]

Nellie McKay - Obligatory Villagers (Vanguard)
Buy It @ Amazon

"would always prefer to do shorter albums. I have a very short attention span. But I also don’t think an album has to work in its entirety. Why should it? Why can’t it be a collection, and you listen to what you want when you want? I guess I’m a master at sabotaging my own career—but that’s a deliberate choice." - Nellie McKay [Source: Time Out New York]

Joni Mitchell - Shine (Hear Music)
Buy It @ Amazon

"I am thrilled to be able to work with the Hear Music label on my new CD. Starbucks and Concord Music Group are joining me in releasing a project which has enabled me to appreciate what I loved about making music in the first place. I am very grateful to them." - Joni Mitchell [Source: Starpulse]

Mum - Go Go Smear the Poison Ivy (Fat Cat)
Buy It @ Amazon

"In small towns, things are so simple that when we asked if there were any houses around that we could possibly borrow or hire, they just gave us the keys and the number to the security code and let us get on with it. We also recorded in two schools – one of them was a music school… Suddenly we were in this huge place surrounded by instruments. It was summer, so there weren’t any kids around, we could just do whatever we wanted." - Gunnar Örn Tynes, Mum [Source: BBC]

Office - A Night at the Ritz (Scratchie/New Line)
Buy It @ Amazon

"Mostly, I'm inspired by the weird things I see happening in the media, or the various environments and situations I'm involved with on a regular basis, outside of music." - Scott Masson, Office [Source: Lifeskool Songwriter Spotlight]

Sea Wolf - Leaves in the River (Dangerbird)
Buy It @ Amazon

"Melodic enough to break the stereotypes of acoustic guitar strumming, while distinguishing itself in catchy folk/indie tunes and fervent storytelling, Sea Wolf is in a league all of it's own." [Source: Antimusic]

Stars - In Our Bedroom After the War (Arts & Crafts)
Buy It @ Amazon

"In the writing aspect and in the performance aspect, we didn't hold ourselves back or limit ourselves in terms of our concepts." - Torquil Campbell, Stars [Source: Recoil]

Tunng - Good Arrows (Thrill Jockey)
Buy It @ Amazon

"It wasn’t like sitting in a rehearsal room and all jamming out ideas. This band has never kind of been about that. Tunng’s been about more like trying out things in the studio, writing and recording at the same time." - Mike Lindsay, Tunng [Source: Lunapark6]

Two Gallants - Two Gallants (Saddle Creek)
Buy It @ Amazon

"We never thought of it consciously like we were going to make it into a band, we just stayed up all night drinking and playing music." - Adam Stephens, Two Gallants [Source: Hofstra Chronicle]

Songwriter Spotlight: Scott Masson of Office

Not too long ago, Office was an unsigned pop rock band with lots of buzz and cute work outfits. Then in October of 2006, the Chicago fivesome got a promotion. The band got picked up by Scratchie/New Line Records and are releasing their debut full length this week called A Night at the Ritz.

All of this, of course, came with a lot of hard work and some great breaks, including a month-long, sold out residency in Chicago, a free download spot on iTunes that catapulted them into the Top 20, a slot at the Q101 stage of Lollapalooza, hot showcase performances at SXSW, as well as kudos from national press outlets like Billboard, NPR and Magnet.

I recently got to ask lead singer Scott Masson of Office about his musical inspirations... Here's what he had to say!

Favorite place to write music:
My favorite place to write music is in my bedroom, alone, in Chicago, in the summertime, with the door closed, the windows closed, cell phone turned off, computer off, at night, air conditioner spraying shitty fake air in my face, and hopefully, when my roommate is out.  Complete isolation is best situation to be in when you're writing music because there are no background noises to mess up your concentration, no human distractions, and nobody listening in to all the wrong notes and un-revised lyrics as the process unfolds.  Song-writing is like surgery.  It hurts, but it simply needs to get done well......so you really need to be kinda loud and nasty as you bang it out. 

Latest inspiration:
Mostly, I'm inspired by the weird things I see happening in the media, or the various environments and situations I'm involved with on a regular basis, outside of music.  I am incredibly competitive, and want to impress my artistic friends, so I end up working extra hard on each song or production.  That competitive nature keeps me going the most.   All of this gets sewed together with my politics, personal belief system, life experience, socialization process, spirituality, sexuality, and desires as an artist, even though I cringe at the thought of that cliche "artist" tag one wears.  It's every artist's job, however, to keep romance and awareness alive and well, so if you look around, you'll notice there is a lot of great material everywhere.  Romance comes in many shapes and sizes.  It's hiding in the gutters, and the folds of your grandmother's wrinkled skin.

What's the most personal song on your new album?
"Suburban Perfume" is the most personal song I've ever written.  The imagery is literally taken from things I've experienced in my past, or felt while growing up in a very small town outside of Detroit.  It's nostalgic, I guess.....but it can be applied to anybody's life.  It's about growing up in a weird environment, being an outcast, and losing your innocence with each passing decade.  The production needed to have a folk vibe, so that's why I used acoustic instruments.  Also....the incorporation of the mellotron was totally done on purpose.  Because that instrument is obsolete, it is naturally nostalgic.....an "old sound".  Not to mention, The Beatles used it in "Strawberry Fields Forever", which is their childhood dream song as well.  This was a nod to them. 

Much to the chagrin of people who like convoluted material, I had to be clear and honest with the lyrics of this song.  I suffered a really bad nervous breakdown in 2004, and had to move back home with my parents in Michigan, when I really should have been immersed in the city.  I wrote this song in the worst period of my life, but in a way, it was also the most humbling time of my life.  It changed my perspective forever.  I was trying to make sense out of the future with "Suburban Perfume", by writing about the past, if that makes any sense.  Because I wasn't able to stay healthy or happy, I had to go inward, and back to Milford, Michigan....where I grew up.  Writing this song seemed like the natural way of healing the mind, so yes....it's incredibly close to my heart.  Almost like musical therapy.  Some people aren't gonna like it, but it's not my job to appeal to people who are too cool for school. 

In a way, it's my belief that everyone should look back every once in awhile and remember where they came from, their family, their first brush with nature, or whatever.......so they can move forward and deal with what's happening on a day-to-day basis now.  I never write about myself, really...but this is the closest people will ever get to knowing who I really am. This song is also about delivering yourself from the past, humbling yourself, and also realizing your strengths and weaknesses.  God!  That sounds so cheese-ball, but it's totally true.  The song is dedicated to the freaks and dreamers.  The chorus was meant to communicate the notion of naïveté, which for me has real spiritual connotations.  No matter what age you're at, you don't have it figured out, nor should you ever have it all figured out.  Keeping a naive, child-like perspective in life is the most romantic and loving way to conduct the business of the day.

If you could duet with anyone, who would it be and why?
Well, the friends I have are brilliant, so I'm slightly biased.  Some of my friends are complete geniuses, and I've been spoiled throughout my life because I hang out with some amazing songwriters.  I've also been fortunate enough to hang out with one of my favorite artists of all time, Ken Griffin.  I have done duets with some of these folks on random occasions, or participated on various recordings, etc.  If I were to choose somebody I haven't worked with yet, however, it would be this guy in Detroit by the name of Casimer Pascal.  His band, Pas/cal, is about to release their first LP on Le Grand Magistery.  I have a feeling it's a true work of art.  He's an intelligent composer, and a real visionary, and I've always loved what he brings to the pop music table.  We spoke recently, since we are acquaintances, and I think we plan on doing some recordings together in the near future.  He has a very similar perspective on song-oriented music, and holds the same desire of keeping high quality melody and production alive in this new monotonous millennium of ours.  Casimer does his own thing, and few people can even approach what he's doing sonically or conceptually in pop.  I want to work with him for these reasons only.  I think that we'd make some really interesting stuff together, so we'll see.  It's got to happen naturally though.  We're both very busy with our own lives and careers, so I never believe anything until it actually happens.      

If you could re-do the soundtrack to any film, what would it be?
I'd love to re-do the soundtrack for What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?, starring Joan Crawford and Bette Davis.  I think it's one of the most f---ed up movies I've ever seen.  It's proof that you don't need gore or computer graphics, let alone technicolor, to tell a great story that messes with people's heads.  In fact, I'm working on an epic music video/pop song right now for OFFICE called "The Face," which is directly inspired by this classic Hollywood suspense/thriller.  I've always wanted our music to sound like a black and white film, and I have yet to accomplish this feat.  Baby Jane would be a fun project to rework because it's so intense, slightly comical, disturbing, and believable at the same time.  I think if I got in a room with 20 musicians:  some horns, strings, bizarre-o percussion, theramin, vocalists........we could totally rock this soundtrack into the stratosphere.  In the meantime, I'll keep working on "The Face," and we'll go from