Stone Temple Pilots that is. This week (tomorrow, 5/25/10) sees their first new release in 9 years and a flurry of new dates coming.
Can’t say how thrilled I am to have one of my favorite bands from the 90′s back in action. Watched a concert from March in Chicago last night on Palladia which showed them in fine form too.
The cool thing for me is I have been going back to all the side projects too.
I liked Army of Anyone which came in out in 2007 but today I finally found Talk Show available for download on Amazon. This was the short lived project with Duncan Coutts (from Ten Inch Men, so-so LA alt something band). This was a really cool disc that I regretted losing over the years. The band didn’t sell any records but I just loved this album. Thought Duncan was a cool addition to their thing and he was a nice change of pace considering how f**ked up Weiland was in 96-97.
Anyway, regardless, happy to be listening to Talk Show and happy STP are BACK!
Been too long guys.
Been a while since I got to play outdoors but this summer is shaping up nicely. Kicked off summer with a Closed Captioned gig this past weekend at Bethany Vineyards in Ridgefield, Washington.
We played 3 long sets to many drinkers of wine and consumers of buffet food. Was perfect weather, 70 degrees and sun. Made me dang happy. More shows coming this summer from Dull Boy Jack too.
Happy New Year to everyone by the way.
And indeed for me, New Years came with many gifts.
Not the least of which was hearing that Soundgarden are coming back in 2010.
A post came out over the Inter-tubes the other day directing traffic and prying eyes to a new website for the band. On the whole, I am very excited for this and it really solidifies my thinking about great bands and the fragility of making music.
If you go back in time to 1997 when they split up, Soundgarden seemingly could do no wrong. Along with Alice in Chains and Pearl Jam, Soundgarden were the owners of the new rock space. Grunge had given way to a whole new sound that (in my opinion) Soundgarden defined. “Down on the Upside” provided a view into where rock was headed. Huge riffs, pounding rhythms, Chris Cornell’s banshee scream, and time signatures a plenty. On top of this, was a layer of melody that was both sophisticated and interesting. Frankly had they continued, I think Soundgarden would have become the biggest hard rock band walking the planet. I was interested to see where they were headed and then…..well, they broke up not being able to agree where they were going.
So now, we get the chance to see where they would have gone.
I hope they take it seriously and deliver a sonic slab worthy of being called “Soundgarden”.
Because frankly, the only redeeming thing any of them has done since is Matt Cameron joining Pearl Jam.
I can’t consider Audioslave music but hey, that’s me.
I’m glad that Toadies are back together and Vaden Lewis has rediscovered that great band’s power again.
But, his short alliance with Taz (from Reverend Horton Heat) and partners in Burden Brothers was poised for kickassdom. I’m still kind of surprised nobody caught on to them.
Here’s a video for “Shadow” from their first record.
I highly recommend an investigation into both their records if you dig this.
Well worth the coin for some kick ass rock with amazing vocals.
Currently, I am obsessed with Jeff Beck’s recent live album entitled “Performing this week – at Ronnie Scott’s, Jeff Beck”.
Aside from the sound quality (absolutely stellar), the ungodly playing of all in the band, it’s a uniquely satisfying listen.
As a musician I am astounded when I hear playing like this and the physical abilities of the players. Doesn’t hurt that my man Vinnie Colaiuta is on the tubs making Beck’s music breathe and jump like I don’t think it ever has.
Here’s a great clip from the DVD of “Nadia” to get a taste.
Somehow, someway, at least once every 2 weeks or so I am reminded of the time I spent living in Kansas City, Missouri in the late 90′s. It’s a good thing mind you, not a bad thing.
But invariably the reminder is in the form of music, a band, something.
Today, I am reminded of one of the most overlooked and undervalued 90′s KCMO rock bands: Molly McGuire.
Check out this clip from 1996 recorded at the Whiskey doing “Stand Up” from their first major label disc called “Lime”.
The power they had onstage was incredible but Jason “Meatsuit” Gerken was the engine of the band. Check out his amazing groove and drumming ability.
First, U2 come back with their strongest album in almost 20 years and now comes word that Devo are putting out a new record, their first in 19 years (I wonder if there is significance to the 19 year theme)!
