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Record Store Day 2021 Drop 2 - Sat. July 17

Read More Record Store Day The annual Record Store Day is tomorrow (Saturday, April 16th). Here are some events taking place in the Minneapolis area .…

In another positive sign of returning normalcy, Record Store Day returns this Saturday to your favorite neighborhood independent record store, with the final of two “drops” of exclusive and rare releases.

Planned in the midst of the global pandemic, thisbest day of the year for music collectors is to be wisely split into two dates this year, making the most sense fiscally and socially responsible, while also giving production plants a chance to meet customer demands.

In addition to Saturday July 17, June 12 also served as a RSD release day and there are likely some limited releases left over from that day at your favorite indie store.

Titles available are all listed on the official RSD website but availability will vary depending on the store and their ability to receive what they pre-ordered. Additionally, rules and social protocols will likely be taking place, from mask wearing, to limiting quantities, browsing time and in-store capacity, so check with the preferred establishment of your choice.

In Minneapolis/St. Paul, Electric Fetus will be handing out early line numbers and selling out of their back garage, while Down in the Valley features grab bags and giveaways and will be partnering with Broken Clock Brewing for an exclusive lime-tinged beer.

In Kansas City, Josey Records completes their first RSD at their new location (just a block from the old one), Mills Record Co. will be handing out early wish lists to fill out then have their staff shop for you, while Love Garden in Lawrence will randomize the lining up order with a lottery system.

Each year, the event also selects a celebrity Record Store Day Ambassador and this year, it is musician/ comedian/ actor/ writer/ late- night- talk- show- bandleader Fred Armisen (who also releases a new EP as part of the July 17 drop).

“I've been completely lost in records for most of my life”,Armisen said, “They have defined the way I see the world and how I remember different years in the past. As I moved to different cities throughout my life, I never stopped collecting records. That also goes for CDs.”

Though the releases are primarily on vinyl, there are a few on CD, as well as on another “thought-dead” format, the cassette.  With 162 titles coming this Saturday, there are far too many to mention, but here are a few highlights:

(click any image to enlarge)

The Monkees Missing Links Volumes 1, 2 and 3 LP each limited to 2000	Aretha Franklin Oh Me Oh My: Aretha Live in Philly 1972 2 x LP limited to 5050	Amy Winehouse Remixes 2xLP limited to 13000	Waterboys How Long Will I Love You (2021 Remix) 12” Vinyl limited to 3000
The Cure Wild Mood Swings 2 x LP Picture Disc limited to 8000	Ramones Live in Sydney, Australia, July 8, 1980 LP limited to 6000	Bob Dylan Jokerman / I And I Remixes 12" Vinyl  limited to 7000	Ultravox Vienna (Steven Wilson Remix) 2xLP limited 2500 / 2xCD limited to 1500
The Clash If Music Could Talk 2 x LP  limited to 3600	Cat Stevens / Yusuf Songs From Harold & Maude LP limited to 8000	Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Déjà vu Alternates LP limited to 10000	Rolling Stones Hot Rocks (50th Anniversary Edition) LP limited to 7200
Karen O & Willie Nelson Under Pressure 7" Vinyl limited to 2500	Allman Brothers Band The Final Note  2 x LP limited to 9000	Pearl Jam Alive Cassette limited to 6300 / LP limited to 18500	Foo Fighters (as The Dee Gees) Hail Satin LP limited to 12000

john (johnc@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ facebook.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Starcrawler at Turf Club, St Paul (16 Oct 2019)

Starcrawler at Turf Club Starcrawler Setlist Home Alone Used to Know Lizzy Toy Teenager Hollywood Ending I Don't Need You Let Her Be Ants I Love LA Pet Sematary (Ramones cover) Rich Taste No More Pennies Born Asleep Bet My Brains Different Angles What I Want Pussy Tower You Dig Yours Train She Gets Around Chicken Woman Read More Starcrawler Los Angeles-based Starcrawler is headlining the Turf Club this Wednesday, October 16. We saw them at Desert Daze 2017 and frontwoman Arrow de Wilde makes the band looks insane! …

Los Angeles band Starcrawler (vocalist Arrow de Wilde, drummer Austin Smith, guitarist Henri Cash, and bassist Tim Franco) headlined the Turf Club in St Paul on October 16th.

Poppy Jean Crawford opened the show with a brief 30 minute set.

Starcrawler first came to our attention with their breakout performance at Desert Daze 2017, where we reported, “Arrow de Wilde of Starcrawler is a badass and I loved their set. She is androgyny at its finest, decked out sparkling Hanes briefs and not giving a crap in the world. They covered [Tom] Petty’s Mary Jane’s Last Dance and played their super-mega hit Ants.”

Since then, the group released their self-titled debut album in March 2018 (for SXSW), and certainly gained notoriety with the audience in Austin, Texas, by “terrorizing the crowd”. They spent the rest of the year conquering Europe, starting with a performance on Later with Jools Holland and touring throughout the UK.

2019 is starting to look even better, having been included in the soundtrack to the Pet Semetary remake (which would explain their Ramones title track midway in their setlist), and now just released their sophomore album Devour You (Rough Trade). The album, particularly their single, “She Gets Around” is getting great reviews, citing it to sounding like 90s rock bands like Nirvana and The Breeders.

As for the Starcrawler’s Turf Club show, it started with a pulse pounding drumming from Austin Smith. This is quickly followed by some bass from Tim Franco… then joining them on stage was guitarist Henri Cash in his Jack White-ish cowboy outfit. This jamming only serves to introduce us to singer Arrow de Wilde, dressed like a zombie ballerina, as she starts dancing and singing “Home Alone”.

Visually and performance-wise, this is probably our favorite show of Rocktober. Everything from de Wilde strangling herself with the mic cords, to Cash’s guitar playing on the Turf Club’s bar (see photo!), to that faithful cover of the Ramones’ “Pet Semetary” song was done amazingly well.

Starcrawler’s Devour You is out now.

Remaining tour dates:

10/19/19 - Toronto, ON - Horseshoe Tavern
10/22/19 - Montreal - Bar Le Rtiz PDB
10/23/19 - Somerville, MA - ONCE Ballroom
10/25/19 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg
10/26/19 - Philadelphia, PA - Boot & Saddle
10/27/19 - Washington, DC - Pie Shop
10/28/19 - Pittsburgh, PA - Club Café
10/30/19 - Detroit, MI - Hell Night @Third Man Records
10/31/19 - Nashville, TN - Halloween @Third Man Records
11/1/19 - Atlanta, GA - Aisle 5
11/2/19 - New Orleans, LA - Gasa Gasa
11/5/19 - Austin, TX - Barracuda
11/8/19 - Phoenix, AZ - Valley Bar
11/9/19 - Los Angeles, CA - The Fonda Theatre
11/16/19 - Berlin - Maze Club
11/17/19 - Rotterdam - Rotown
11/18/19 - Antwerp - Kavka
11/20/19 - Paris - Petit Bain
11/21/19 - London - Underworld
12/4/19 - Tokyo - Liquid Room
12/5/19 - Osaka - Banana Hall
12/6/19 - Nagoya - Club Quattro

Starcrawler at Turf Club, St Paul (16 Oct 2019)

vu (vu@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ facebook.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

R.I.P. Stan Lee

Read More Stan Lee Marvel Comics Chairman Emeritus and Generalissimo, Stan Lee, held court earlier in the same room, to an enraptured audience of all ages, who stepped up to right and left microphones …

Legendary Marvel Universe creator Stan Lee has died at the age of 95.

Lee, along with Jack Kirby were responsible for many of the original Marvel Comics’ characters, such as The Fantastic Four, The Avengers, and X-Men, etc.

Although Stan Lee is not necessary a musician, many singers and songwriters have been influenced by Stan Lee or many of his creations. For example, Joe Satriani’s classic album Surfing with the Alien features Stan and Jack’s Silver Surfer on his cover. Or bands like The Ramones covering the Spider-Man theme song, etc.

For the full death list head over to Musicians who died in 2018.

November (15)

[12 Nov 2018] Stan Lee (American comic book writer and publisher of Marvel Comics), 95

[10 Nov 2018] Marián Geišberg (Slovak actor, singer-songwriter), 64

[07 Nov 2018] Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin (Irish musician and composer), 67

[06 Nov 2018] Rasmus Berg (Danish musician), 45

[06 Nov 2018] Hugh McDowell (English cellist for Electric Light Orchestra, Wizzard), 65, cancer

[04 Nov 2018] Ranford Bigsby (Liam Anderson) (Australian rapper), 26, killed by friend

[04 Nov 2018] Josh Fauver (American rock bassist for Deerhunter), 39

[04 Nov 2018] Roman Grinev (Russian jazz bassist), 41

[04 Nov 2018] Wolfgang Zuckermann (German-born American harpsichord maker), 96

[03 Nov 2018] Tom Diaz (American singer and musician for The World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die), 32

[03 Nov 2018] Mark Fosson (American primitive guitarist), cancer

[03 Nov 2018] Maria Guinot (Portuguese singer), 73, lung infection

[03 Nov 2018] Glenn Schwartz (American musician for James Gang), 77

[02 Nov 2018] Roy Hargrove (American jazz trumpeter), 49, heart attack

[01 Nov 2018] Dave Rowland (American country music singer for Dave & Sugar), 74, stroke

vu (vu@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Minneapolis: May 08 to May 11, 2017

Here are some concerts taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from May 08 to May 11, 2017.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Read More The Jesus and Mary Chain As part of the Psychocandy 30th anniversary celebrations, The Mary Chain have also agreed to appear at Austin Psych Fest on May 8-10, 2015. …

THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN
at Palace Theatre
Tuesday 05/09/17, 7pm ($30)
palacestpaul.com

After a very successful Pyschocandy 30th Anniversary Tour in 2015, the reunited Scottish band The Jesus and Mary Chain (brothers Jim Reid and William Reid) is back on tour in support of their new record Damage and Joy (ADA / Warner Music). The record is their first in 19 years.

For those who missed them the first time around in the 80s and 90s, this upcoming show cannot be missed.

Philadelphia’s The Cobbs (named after brothers Paul Cobb and Ryan Cobb) to open.

The Jesus and Mary Chain North American Tour Dates:

5/09 - St. Paul, MN @ The Palace
5/10 - Chicago, IL @ Riviera
5/12 - Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall
5/14 - Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel
5/19 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern
5/20 - Oakland, CA @ The Fox Theater
5/22 - Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
5/23 - Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo
5/24 - Vancouver, BC @ Vogue Theatre

Read More CJ Ramone I love We're pretty excited to find out that CJ Ramone (the Ramones bassist from 1989 to 1996) is coming to the Twin Cities this June 10th in support of his latest Last Chance to Dance …

CJ RAMONE
at Triple Rock Social Club
Wednesday 05/10/17, 8pm ($13)
triplerocksocialclub.com

With all the original The Ramones are dead, its youngest member CJ Ramone continues the tradition by playing those classic Ramones numbers, along with CJ originals. We’ve seen CJ before, it’s really great to see all the Ramones fan gather and celebrate and remember the legendary band.

Big Eyes and Drones (not to be confused with Australia's The Drones) to open.

Tour dates:

5/6/2017 Broken City Calgary, AB
5/7/2017 Mercury Room Yeg Edmonton, AB
5/8/2017 Park Theatre Winnipeg, MB
5/10/2017 Triple Rock Social Club Minneapolis, MN
5/11/2017 Cobra Lounge Chicago, IL
5/12/2017 Majestic Café Detroit, MI
5/13/2017 Horseshoe Tavern Toronto, ON
5/14/2017 Les Foufounes Electriques Montreal, QC
5/16/2017 Higher Ground South Burlington, VT
5/17/2017 Middle East Upstairs Cambridge, MA
5/18/2017 The Loft Poughkeepsie, NY
5/19/2017 Milkboy Philadelphia, PA
5/20/2017 Gold Sounds Brooklyn, NY
7/10/2017 Hard Rock Pub Pamela Torun, Poland
7/11/2017 Poglos Warsaw, Poland

Read More Skating Polly Grrrl rockers Skating Polly will be in town next Wednesday, March 30th. The duo (Kelli Mayo and Peyton Bighorse) was previously in town in in 2014 with White Fang. … Kitten Forever Local trio Kitten Forever (Corrie Harrigan, Laura Larson, and Liz Elton) is celebrating their 10th Anniversary as a band next Saturday, July 23rd. They’ve enlisting various … Tony Peachka Next up was local all-girls Tony Peachka with a Melissa on vocals/guitars, Stephanie on guitars, Haley on drums, and Danielle on bass. Apparently Danielle is also …

SKATING POLLY
at 7th Street Entry
Thursday 05/11/17, 8pm ($10)
first-avenue.com

Skating Polly (trio of stepsisters Kelli Mayo and Peyton Bighorse and brother Kurtis Mayo) is headlining the 7th Street Entry on May 11th, their first post-support for legendary punk band X. SP’s New Trick EP (El Camino Records) features Nina Gordon and Louise Post from Veruca Salt.... so these girls, or rather grrrls have a thing for 90s alt-punk/rock.

The trio (previously a duo) was previously in town on March 2016

Local girl bands Kitten Forever and Tony Peachka will open.

Tour dates:

May 5 | Knuckleheads* | Kansas City, MO
May 6 | Delmar Hall* | St. Louis, MO
May 7 | City Winery* | Nashville, TN
May 8 | Neighborhood Theater* | Charlotte, NC
May 9 | Cat’s Cradle* | Carrboro, NC
May 11 | 7th Street Entry | Minneapolis, MN
May 12 | Lyric Room | Green Bay, WI
May 13 | Subterranean | Chicago, IL
May 14 | Magic Stick | Detroit, MI
May 15 | Grog Shop | Cleveland, OH
May 16 | Smiling Moose | Pittsburgh, PA
May 17 | St. Vitus | Brooklyn, NY
May 19 | Pouza Fest | Montreal, QC
May 20 | Kung Fu Necktie | Philadelphia, PA
May 21 | DC9 | Washington, DC
May 22 | Rumba Café | Columbus, OH
May 24 | Ready Room | St. Louis, MO
May 25 | Bottleneck | Lawrence, KS
May 26 | Opolis | Norman, OK
June 3 | The Nile | Mesa, AZ
June 4 | The Shop | Prescott, AZ
June 6 | Casbah | San Diego, CA
June 7 | Bootleg Theater | Los Angeles, CA
June 8 | Constellation Room | Santa Ana, CA
June 10 | The Parkside | San Francisco, CA
August 26 | It’s Not Dead Festival

* Dates w/ X

Read More The Wild Reeds NPR described The Wild Reeds as Americana’s “newest and most promising voices”. The band recently released a new three-song EP called Best Wishes and will … Tears for Fears Tears for Fears is massive, yet when they reformed to do some tour dates (with Spandau Ballet in Australia!) there is no official website or outlet for touring information … Hall & Oates You know we absolutely love Hall & Oates, so I was fooled into clicking a news link on Facebook about “Hall and Oates got into a bloody confrontation that ended with Hall getting bit in the face and Oates landing in jail …

Other shows in the area:

05/08/17 Froth is headlining the 7th Street Entry. The Coax to open. 7:30pm, $10.

05/09/17 Boston’s Pile is on tour in support of their fifth album A Hairshirt of Purpose (Exploding In Sound Records). Stereogum said the band harkens “long-since-passed rock legends.” Gnarwhal and Double Grave to open. 7pm, $12.

05/09/17 UK singer/songwriter Lewis Watson is headlining Triple Rock Social Club on Tuesday. Watson is on a post-SXSW tour to promote Midnight (Cooking Vinyl). The new record is a departure from his earlier work. The 24-year-old is grown up. Prams will open. 6pm, $14.

05/10/17 Emel (full name Emel Mathlouthi) returned to Minneapolis in support of her new record Ensen (out May 10th). Bae Tigre to open. Seated, all ages show. 7pm, $15.

05/10/17 Leif Vollebekk is back at the 7th Street Entry. As of this writing, no opening band listed. 7:30pm, $12.

05/10/17 From the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia The Steel Wheels will be bringing their folk music to the Dakota Jazz Club in downtown Minneapolis. Their new album Wild As We Came Here is out now via Redeye Worldwide thanks to crowdfunding PledgeMusic. 7pm, $25.

05/10/17 Los Angeles-based quintet The Wild Reeds is headlining the Turf Club in St Paul on Wednesday. Blank Range and Superior Siren will open. 7pm, $10.

05/11/17 Tears For Fears and Hall & Oates (billed as Daryl Hall & John Oates) will be co-headlining the Xcel Energy Center. 6pm, $35.

vu (vu@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ facebook.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Shonen Knife ⚡ CJ Ramone at Amsterdam Bar, St Paul (10 June 2015)

Shonen Knife Setlist Konnichiwa A Map Master Sushi Bar Twist Barbie Anime Phenomenon (アニメ) E.S.P. Banana Chips Psychedelic Life Cycling Is Fun I Am A Cat Golden Years Of Rock And Roll Bad Luck Song Black Crow Green Tea Explosion Riding on the Rocket Dance To The Rock -- Encore -- Buttercup (I'm A Super Girl) CJ Ramone Setlist Understand Me? One More Chance Judy Is A Punk Wont Stop Swinging What We Gonna Do Now Pitstop Rockaway Beach Aloha Oe Three Angels I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend Glad To See You Go Last Chance To Dance Sheena Is A Punk Rocker Do You Wanna Dance Blitzkrieg Bop R.A.M.O.N.E.S (Motörhead cover) L'Assassins Setlist Get Off the Road Backseat Bomp Stop Lovin' Me Watch Out Creep Dirty Feelings Tonight Blood On The Sheets Batteries Kill Kill Be My Dog Lovin' On The Run Skunk (Answer The Phone) Want You Liar Nobody Can Do It Read More Shonen Knife I love Shonen Knife. The Osaka band announced their new album Overdrive to come out April 16th, 2014, via Good Charamel Records (for North America). The American market will get a yellow cover version, while the UK … CJ Ramone I love We're pretty excited to find out that CJ Ramone (the Ramones bassist from 1989 to 1996) is coming to the Twin Cities this June 10th in support of his latest Last Chance to Dance … L'Assassins Opening up was L'Assassins, an-all-girl rock/punk-ish band who has a thing for black leather and faux leopard print. They played a lot of tracks, some from their recent 2013 album …

The CJ Ramone and Shonen Knife tour just came through the Twin Cities last Wednesday, June 10th, at the Amsterdam Bar and Hall in St Paul.

L'Assassins

Opening up the show was local all-girls surf/garage band L'Assassins, using the Amsterdam drum kit, played a mix of tracks from their three EPs, including their recent Kill Kill Kill! Bang Bang Bang!, featuring the title track.

What's actually more interesting is that they announced they were playing on the same bill as The Pandoras (an all-girls band that broke up in 1990 and now featuring Muffs singer Kim Shattuck), taking place July 25 at Turf Club. We're big Muffs fan, so it might be worth it to check out the show.

CJ Ramone

I would say that the terrific turn out (a good mix of very young 14 year olds to very old middle age punkers) to Wednesday's show was incredibly good. About half the audience was there for CJ Ramone, but in addition many of them were also crossover fans. While some people may think this just merely a The Ramones cover band, I have to disagree and as one of the few surviving Ramones band member, you have to give him a free pass. Many of the younger fans in the crowd have never had a chance to see the legendary band, so seeing CJ Ramone perform some of these classic songs, it was the next best thing.

As you can see from his setlist, the first half of the set was devoted to original CJ Ramone materials and the second half of the set was a tribute to the Ramones. Obviously, the second half of the set was a blast to hear... especially with their dedicated painter, also bopping and painting along by the front of the stage.

Some interesting notes about CJ's set, apparently in the 12 years that he played with the band, they never once play love songs (CJ said that was because all their love songs were written by Joey about Johnny's wife). Now that he can play whatever song he wanted, he chose to play "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend".

Highlight of their set was "Blitzkrieg Bop", which instantly got everyone moshing and slam dancing to the tune.

This is a great double bill for Shonen Knife, who sometime play as Ramones tribute band The Osaka Ramones. It's been a while since we as saw the band in 2009, but it would seem that they've reunited with original bassist Atsuko Yamano... who is temporary replacing Ritsuko Taneda on her maternity leave. This was a unique opportunity for non-Los Angeles fans to see Atsuko performing on bass for the first time in nearly a decade.

Setlist

As you can see from their setlist, it was written in Japanese, making it a challenge to decipher what they played. I believe this is their correct set, based on my notes and with a help of friend.

Interestingly enough, only a few tracks from their latest Overdrive were played... and only in a block near the end of their set. The new songs were all inspired by 70s hard rock, according to singer Naoko Yamano.

In typical Shonen Knife fashion, the band is often doing synchronized guitar poses and often flashing the peace sign.

This is an excellent band pairing, check out the continuing tour, which is taking place tonight in Nashville.

Shonen Knife's latest Overdrive is out now on Good Charamel. CJ Ramone's Last Chance to Dance is also out now on Fat Wreck Chords.

CJ⚡SK tour dates:

06/13/15 Nashville, TN Mercy Lounge
06/14/15 Atlanta, GA HELL at The Masquerade
06/16/15 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506
06/17/15 Louisville, KY The New Vintage
06/18/15 Cincinnati, OH The Woodward Theater
06/19/15 Baltimore, MD The Metro Gallery
06/20/15 Long Branch, NJ Brighton Bar
06/21/15 Philadelphia, PA Black Box in Underground Arts
06/22/15 New York, NY Le Poisson Rouge
06/23/15 Hamden, CT The Space Ballroom
06/24/15 Cambridge, MA Middle East Downstairs

Shonen Knife at Amsterdam Bar and Hall, St Paul (10 June 2015)

vu (vu@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Minneapolis: June 10, 2015

Here are some concerts taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area on June 10, 2015.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Read More Shonen Knife I love Shonen Knife. The Osaka band announced their new album Overdrive to come out April 16th, 2014, via Good Charamel Records (for North America). The American market will get a yellow cover version, while the UK …

CJ RAMONE + SHONEN KNIFE
at Amsterdam Bar and Hall
Wednesday, 06/10/15, 7pm ($15/18+)
Details: amsterdambarandhall.com

Hey! Ho! Let's Go!

It was a pretty sad day when I learned the last remaining original member of influential punk band The Ramones passed away last July 2014.

We're pretty excited to find out that CJ Ramone (the Ramones bassist from 1989 to 1996) is coming to the Twin Cities this June 10th in support of his latest Last Chance to Dance, which came out November 2014 on Fat Wreck Chords.

He will be backed by a full band (guitarist Steve Soto, guitarist Dan Root, and drummer Joe Rizzo)... and the good news is that they will be playing some classic Ramones songs.

If you look at most of the Japanese DIY punk bands like Peelander-Z and Guitar Wolf, they're all influenced by The Ramones... so, of course, this made total sense that Shonen Knife is co-headlining this tour with CJ Ramone.

Personally, I'm really excited both bands on the bill.

Tour dates:

06/05/15 West Babylon, Long Island, NY St. Clair's
06/06/15 Columbus, OH Ace of Cups
06/07/15 Chicago, IL Bottom Lounge
06/09/15 Milwaukee, WI Cactus Club
06/10/15 St. Paul, MN Amsterdam Bar and Hall
06/11/15 Lincoln, NE Vega
06/13/15 Nashville, TN Mercy Lounge
06/14/15 Atlanta, GA HELL at The Masquerade
06/16/15 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506
06/17/15 Louisville, KY The New Vintage
06/18/15 Cincinnati, OH The Woodward Theater
06/19/15 Baltimore, MD The Metro Gallery
06/20/15 Long Branch, NJ Brighton Bar
06/21/15 Philadelphia, PA Black Box in Underground Arts
06/22/15 New York, NY Le Poisson Rouge
06/23/15 Hamden, CT The Space Ballroom
06/24/15 Cambridge, MA Middle East Downstairs

Read More Elle King Often compared to Janis Joplin, singer/songwriter/banjoist Elle King will be releasing her debut album Love Stuff next week, February 17th... just missing out on Valentine's Day. The Love Stuff album featured her …

ELLE KING
at Varsity Theater
Wednesday, 06/10/15, 7pm ($15)
Details: varsitytheater.org

Soul and blues singer Elle King will be at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis next Wednesday, June 10th. The singer/actress is touring in support of her debut album Love Stuff, which came out earlier this year on RCA Records. Expect her to play plenty of tracks from the debut album, including hit single "Ex's & Oh's".

Gene Jr and The Family will be opening for Elle King on June 10.

Tour dates:

06/03/15 Toronto, ON Drake Hotel
06/05/15 Cleveland, OH Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
06/08/15 Columbus, OH The Basement
06/09/15 Indianapolis, IN The Hi-Fi
06/10/15 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theater
06/15/15 St. Louis, MO Old Rock House
06/12/15 Manchester, TN Bonnaroo +
06/13/15 Atlanta, GA The Masquerade
06/14/15 Nashville, TN 3rd & Lindsley
06/15/15 St. Louis, MO Old Rock House
06/18/15 Dallas, TX House of Blues
06/20/15 Austin, TX Lamberts
06/22/15 Lawrence, KS Granada Theatre
06/23/15 Denver, CO Larimer Lounge
06/27/15 Portland, OR Wonder Ball
06/27/15 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom
07/01/15 West Hollywood, CA The Troubadour
07/17/15 Hamden, CT The Space
07/18/15 Washington, DC U Street Music Hall
07/20/15 New York, NY The Bowery Ballroom
07/21/15 Cambridge, MA The Sinclair
07/23/15 Edgefest Summer Concert Series
07/25/15 "Interstellar Rodeo" (Winnipeg)
08/01/15 Lollapalooza
08/09/15 Squamish Valley Music Festival
09/05/15 Bumbershoot Festival
10/09-10/11 Austin City Limits Music

Read More Kyle Dunnigan The writer/actor on "Inside Amy Schumer" and host of the Professor Blastoff podcast, Kyle Dunnigan is releasing a Christmas album called Craig's All-Star Rockin' Christmas, You Guys! with music producer/songwriter friend Jim Roach. …

KYLE DUNNIGAN
at Cedar Cultural Center
Wednesday, 06/10/15, 7pm ($25)
Details: thecedar.org

Rolling Stone's "20 Best Comedy Podcasts Right Now" Kyle Dunnigan has a show this June 10th at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis.

You may have seen Dunnigan on various Late Night shows (Seth Meyers, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, Jay Leno, etc), but currently his popular weekly podcast Professor Blastoff with Tig Notaro and David Huntsberger, is a hit with comedy fans. Dunnigan is also the writer and performer of Comedy Central's show Inside Amy Schumer.

Comedian, and Minnesota native, John Bush opens.

Tour dates:

06/10/15 Minneapolis, MN Cedar Cultural Center
06/11/15 Milwaukee, WI Turner Hall Ballroom
06/12/15 Madison, WI Majestic Theatre
06/13/15 Chicago, IL Thalia Hall
06/14/15 St. Louis, MO Firebird
10/09/15 New York, NY HighLine Ballroom

vu (vu@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Melinda Hsu

The Smiths-There Is a Light That Never Goes Out

The Smiths

If it doesn't look like I'm writing much these days, it's probably because I'm sad and depressed at my best friend, Melinda, passing away unexpectedly.

I've known her since late 1992, through a Morrissey fanzine called The Morri-Zine (vol 4, #4). We became close friends. She was there to recommend taking over her Black Velveeta radio show, I became a radio DJ for KFSR 90.7 FM. She was there with me through our hostel adventures throughout England. She was there to buy my first beer when I turned 21 at midnight (the bartender didn't even check my ID!). She's always been there for me, and it's safe to say that I would not be the person I am today without her. If you have ever known Melinda, she is the kindest person you've ever met.

If you would like to observe her memorial service, details here: morrissey-solo.com (re-published below).

Melinda Hsu
posted by davidt on Saturday April 24 2010, @07:00PM

I've just received word that a longtime fan and friend Melinda Hsu has passed away recently. Posting on the site as "Mel Torment", Melinda was very well known amongst Morrissey fans, often contributing to this site, forums and email lists. Morrissey himself recognized her and talk to her often during concerts.

A memorial service for friends and family will be held at:
Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church
Saturday, May 15 at 4pm.

Melinda's brother Victor asked if any friends have any pictures or mementos, they can be sent to hsugose@yahoo.com.

I remember Melinda for her dedication, so many times I would hear her report on a Morrissey show and think, "how in the world did she make it there?" There was never a Morrissey show too far. She was a great friend to the site, contributions were always very sharp and observant. I will miss her humor and generosity.

Below an article that Mel was kind enough to write for us two years ago.

>>>
"Beware of the Piano": DJ Lebowitz rockin' your punkass like the donkey
written by Melinda on Apr 1, 2007 at 3:59 PM

DJ Lebowitz - Holiday In Cambodia

Muzak and lounge versions of punk rock songs are no longer novel. But years before hipster smartarses started churning out their oh-so-ironic versions of punk rock songs, DJ Lebowitz was pounding out on the pianner (instrumentals only) some of my beloved punk rock faves, even exceeding the passion and intensity of the bands he covers.

I first encountered Beware of the Piano – a beat-up old LP which is currently out of print – in the vinyl archives at KUCR on a tip from DJ Tina Bold back in the 90s. I can’t find any graphic on the Internet of a cover of this album, so instead you get a photo of DJ Lebowitz taken from his own on website (the Bruce Latimer Show, photo by Hali McGrath).

But my impaired memory of the album cover was that it was a hand-drawn illustration of a suburban house and yard (maybe my deranged imagination is making this up, but there might’ve been a menacing upright piano stalking along the curb and I think there were also curly vine tendrils creeping along the fence or something). The light greenish tint and hand-drawn illustration brought to mind the illustration for Wally Pleasant’s Houses of the Holy Moly. I seem to remember a story possibly taken from the liner notes about how DJ Lebowitz got into rockin’ the piano. It goes something like this: He always wanted to play a badass instrument like guitar or drums, but his mom made him take piano lessons instead. But he still had the rockin’ desire and got his revenge by reinterpreting punk rock classics into piano songs. That punk.

DJ Lebowitz - Judy is a Punk

My two favorite songs off of this LP are the covers of Judy Is a Punk (The Ramones) and Holiday in Cambodia (The Dead Kennedys). I don’t have much else to say about these songs except they are criminally fun-- oh and the way DJ Lebowitz reproduces the ending of “Pol Pot!” at the end of Holiday in Cambodia is especially delightful.

Vu kindly edited the out-of-print songs from a digitized source (PVC’s radio shows where DJ Lebowitz was a guest) because my computer is shit and I have no time to fanny around until April 14th.

UPDATE 5/1/10 10:11am: Clearly the sudden death of Melinda had affected Morrissey on a personal level.  Below is an excerpt from the official statement from Morrissey regarding Melinda:

true-to-you.net:

The only way to deal with Mel's death is to accept it. There is no other way. We all have a certain unbreakable appointment and we are all helpless targets in that regard. Life's only promise is its final deadline. When Mel, and others who are dear to us, depart, we should at least realize as we shuffle along living our small and persecuted lives, how absolutely ridiculous it is to be afraid of anything or anyone on this unhappy planet. Most people are standardized and unoriginal, which is useful, because it makes the Mels of the world stand out even more. Rich in ideas, her self-made calendars and t-shirts were always very funny. You will catch up with her in the afterlife, where I'm sure she will be as creative and busy and as Mel Torment as ever.

 04/29/2010 22:23:44 ♥ vu () ♥weheartmusic.com♥twitter.com/weheartmusic♥news.weheartmusic.com 

W♥M023: Worst Case Ontario and iPods

Worst Case Ontario - You're Glib   Sheri Miller - The Blade   Five A.M-Just Say Anything   Gershon Veroba - Bamarom   The Ramones - Blitzkrieg Bop   Department Of Eagles - No One Does It Like You

What can I say? Another great show, and as I promised last week, I will be keeping these brief. If there is one podcast episode you have to listen to: it's this one.

Download this episode (44 min)

As usual, you can subscribe to the show via mypodcast.com

Also, for the first time, I think I've finally got the audio levels down so it's not too destructively noisy. This show is, once again, divided into three parts. Before I get to that, the music I excerpt throughout the show are: Sheri Miller, Worst Case Ontario, Five AM, The Ramones, Gershon Veroba, Bat for Lashes, and Laura Marling.

PART ONE
We talked to Sam from Worst Case Ontario about his band and living in New York and recording. Make sure they get to the top twenty for MTV2 by voting for them on addictedtonoise.com.

PART TWO
Brian and Alex talks about Apple's new line of iPods and iTunes 8 and its "genius" features.

PART THREE
Brody and Dolly talks about the music that they are loving lately. This includes Caroline Smith and Department of Eagles.

PS, please send me any suggestions and tell me what you like (do you want more band interviews? less news?).

UPDATE 9/15/2008:
This came kind of late, but I think I'm supposed to interview this guy, Kordan, when he arrives here tomorrow. Here is an excerpt of the press release that came out:

Kordan is Arthur Eisele a Global Affairs graduate from Rutgers. After having created drum n' bass music in Puerto Rico where he grew up, he had moved to Jersey City to pursue his education and is now currently residing in today's renaissance city Williamsburg.

(excerpt)

Check out the demo for his upcoming single "Fantasy Nation" (MP3)

Kordan will begin working on his full-length soon after for a release early next year.

Tour dates opening for Cut Copy and The Presets:

September 16 @ Fine Line Cafe in Minneapolis, Minnesota
September 17 @ The Metro in Chicago, Illinois
September 19 @ Sound Academy in Toronto, Ontario
September 20 @ Club Soda in Montreal, Quebec
September 21 @ Webster Hall in New York, New York

 

Links: www.weheartmusic.com news.weheartmusic.com podcast.weheartmusic.com