Phantom Planet (file)
Photo: Epic

People are still adjusting to the new year, and musicians are no exception. There are only a few early birds putting out new music Tuesday (January 6), but no doubt more will trickle in during the coming weeks.

First up, Phantom Planet. The group formerly known as "the band with the guy from 'Rushmore' " has a new CD and a new drummer for the '04. Their self-titled LP, produced by Dave Fridmann (Flaming Lips), features the single "Big Brat," whose video, a zombie clip, was co-directed by Johannes Gamble and Spike Jonze.

Next, ex-Jam leader Paul Weller puts together his dream CD on Under the Influence, a collection of his favorite and most inspirational acts. On the album you'll find the Kinks, D'Angelo, Marvin Gaye and Little Richard.

Out Tuesday, January 6:

• Caffiends - Fission, Fusion and Things Made of Concrete (Indianola)
• Casey Jones - The Few, the Proud, the Crucial (Indianola)
• Circle Takes the Square - As the Roots Undo (Robotic Empire)
• Clarence Clemons - Live in Asbury Park Vol. II (Valley Entertainment)
• Congress - Resurrection (Good Life)
• Crime in Stereo - Explosives and the Will to Use Them (Blackout)
• Dirty Sanchez - Really Rich Italian Satanists (Cleopatra)
• Forest Sun - For the Story (Artist One Stop)
• A. Ray Fuller - The Weeper (Artist One Stop)
• Gentle Giant - Way of Life (Recall)
• Humble Gods - Born Free (Suburban Noize)
• Phantom Planet - Phantom Planet (Epic)
  Buy Now: Phantom Planet (Epic)
  
• Paul Weller - Under the Influence (DMC)
• Various artists - A Guitar Tribute to Offspring (Tribute Sounds)
• Various artists - Pickin' on Trace Adkins — A Bluegrass Tribute (CMH)
• Various artists - The String Quartet Tribute to Chevelle (Vitamin)
• Various artists - The String Quartet Tribute to David Gray (Vitamin)
• Various artists - The String Quartet Tribute to Korn (Vitamin)
• Various artists - The String Quartet Tribute to Metallica (Vitamin)
• Various artists - A Tribute to Cold (Tributized)
• Various artists - A Tribute to Nickelback (Tributized)
• Various artists - A Tribute to Nine Inch Nails (Tributized)
• Various artists - A Tribute to Queens of the Stone Age (Tributized)
• Various artists - A Tribute to George Strait (Big Eye)
• Various artists - A Tribute to Outkast (Big Eye)
• Various artists - A Tribute to Train (Big Eye)
• DVD: Coldplay - Unauthorized (Music Video Distributors)
• DVD: Sarah McLachlan - VH1 Storytellers (Image Entertainment)
• DVD: Various artists - Backbeat: Punk Rock Video Magazine Vol. 1 (Music Video Distributors/Coldfront)

January 13:

• Crystal Method - Legion of Boom (V2)
• Lou Reed, John Cale and Nico - Bataclan 72 (Pilot)
• Runaways - Waitin' for the Night (Cherry Red)

January 20:

• Cee-Lo - Cee-Lo Green Is the Soul Machine (Arista)
• Ani DiFranco - Educated Guess (Righteous Babe)

January 27:

• Stereolab - Margerine Eclipse (Elektra)

• Clarence Clemons
• Phantom Planet
• Paul Weller
• Crime In Stereo
• Gentle Giant

Death In Vegas
Photo: BMG

Melding the muscular world of rock with the transcendent world of electronics, Death in Vegas' newest platter, Scorpio Rising, helps close the ever-shrinking gap between the organic and artificial worlds of music.

Just tasting a few seconds of the throbbing opener, "Leather," with its brawny drum beat and minimalist krautrock guitar melody, one would never imagine these sounds are the work of two U.K. DJs. Since 1997, Richard Fearless and Tim Holmes have been dexterously navigating the choppy waters of experimental techno while throwing in elements of rock, punk, dub and even visceral guitar bursts and drones a la My Bloody Valentine.

Named after a 1964 movie by avant-garde filmmaker Kenneth Anger, Scorpio Rising continues the course, but this time vacillating between soft-focus ethereality and rowdy, psychedelic dance rock. Much like the Beatles' famous spiritual trip to meet the Maharishi in 1967, Scorpio Rising's moods and textures are greatly indebted to a voyage to India.

There, Fearless and Holmes met their own spiritual guru, Dr. L. Subramaniam, an acclaimed Indian violinist who helped Vegas achieve their sonic ambitions and who has also helped arrange strings for George Harrison and Herbie Hancock.

Not only was working with Subramaniam in India creatively rousing, but it set the tone for the productive aspirations to come. "He was very open to our ideas, and [the experience] was quite inspirational," Holmes said. "In your head, you know what it's going to sound like when you've got 200 violins on your album, but it's nothing compared to what it really sounds like. It's totally amazing and overpowering."

Proof of Death in Vegas' solid rock cred lies in the album's guest stars, a veritable who's who of British musical elite, including Paul Weller, Mazzy Star's Hope Sandoval, Dot Allison and Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher. It's the album's centerpiece and first single, "Scorpio Rising," featuring Gallagher, that exemplifies Death in Vegas' seamless lacing of rock and roll anthems to shimmering electronics.

After spending a few months trying to track Gallagher down, Death in Vegas discovered the mercurial frontman wasn't the notorious bad-ass they'd envisioned. "He was on his best behavior and he was incredibly professional. And what a voice — it's probably the loudest voice I've ever recorded in my life," Holmes said. "I wouldn't want to get into an argument with him, that's for sure. But [he was] a lovely guy. Really funny, really witty and really sweet."

Unfortunately, the younger Gallagher couldn't celebrate the tracks' completion with the genre-defying duo. "He can't go out [in public]. It's mental being that well known. He can't walk down the street. I would love to sit in the pub with him and shoot the breeze for a few hours, but poor man, he can't even go out for a pint."

Perhaps taking a cue from their notorious Brit-rock collaborator, Death in Vegas stirred up their very own rock controversy when the menacing techno track "Hands Around My Throat" was banned from video channels in France after a spate of auto-asphyxiation cases among Parisian teens hit a little too close to home.

"It's actually about a woman going out and looking for sexual gratification by picking up young men," Holmes said. Featuring Nicola Kuperus of Detroit electro-tech duo Adult., it's easy to see why the sinister track driven by a throbbing snakelike bassline could be misinterpreted as something malicious.

Marquee-name collaborators might raise Death in Vegas' profile, but the duo insist it's all about their love of music and not some elaborate plan to drive sales. In fact, none of Scorpio Rising's songs was written with a collaborator in mind.

"I think if we did it the other way around it would all go belly up," Holmes said. We can't do anything to a formula, we'd just fail every time."

Their stance is something rock's elder statesmen appear to respect.

"Iggy Pop said, 'One of the reasons I decided to work with you was your approach to me was really honest,' " said Holmes. "And [what we sent him] was just a handwritten letter and a cassette, which I think he was quite touched by. Because he [doesn't] work with just anyone, obviously."

And to bring it full circle, Death in Vegas are becoming sought-after collaborators in their own right. Seminal mod figure and Jam frontman Weller was the one who approached the twosome about working together.

"We were at Abbey Road studios, [at a] charity event," recalled Holmes. "And [Weller] came up to us, actually, and said, 'You know, I really liked your last album, and if you ever fancy doing something in the future, give us a shout.' So we did, and he was brilliant."

• Death In Vegas
• Adult
• Liam Gallagher
• Paul Weller
• Hope Sandoval

The Who's Roger Daltrey
Photo: MCA

David Bowie, Pearl Jam, Sheryl Crow and Phish are just a few of the artists paying homage to the Who on the tribute album Substitute the Songs of the Who.

Scheduled for a June 12 release, the 11-track LP culls songs from the legendary band's more-than-25-year career, beginning with their 1965 mod anthem "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere" (performed here by Ocean Colour Scene), through 1971's classic rock staple "Behind Blue Eyes" (Sheryl Crow), and 1978's "Who Are You," the title track from the band's final album with original drummer Keith Moon, given the cover treatment by Welsh rockers Stereophonics.

The Who themselves get a chance to pat their own backs with a live version of "Substitute," recorded during a December benefit concert at London's Royal Albert Hall with a little help from Stereophonics frontman Kelly Jones. Pearl Jam contribute a live cut as well with their rendition of "The Kids Are Alright." Substitute the Songs of the Who is the first Who tribute record officially sanctioned by guitarist and principal songsmith Pete Townshend. The band's longtime soundman Bob Pridden, credited as the tribute's executive producer, came up with the idea for the album after recording Liverpool quartet Cast's version of "The Seeker" for an album B-side. With the notion of a tribute in mind, Pridden then approached Townshend for his blessing, and from there the LP took shape. In February, the Who — whose original lineup was Townshend, singer Roger Daltrey, bassist John Entwistle and drummer Moon, who died in 1978 — received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammy Awards ceremony. The track listing (not in final order) for Substitute the Songs of the Who, according to the album's publicist: Cast - "The Seeker"
Ocean Colour Scene - "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere"
Paul Weller - "Circles"
David Bowie - "Pictures of Lily"
Pearl Jam - "The Kids Are Alright"
Fastball - "The Real Me"
UnAmerican - "Naked Eye"
Stereophonics - "Who Are You"
Phish - "5:15"
Sheryl Crow - "Behind Blue Eyes"
The Who featuring Stereophonics' Kelly Jones - "Substitute"

• The Who
• David Bowie
• Pearl Jam
• Sheryl Crow
• Phish

Eddie Vedder, Paul Weller and Noel Gallagher joined the Who onstage Monday at London's Royal Albert Hall for the last show of the legendary British rockers' world tour.

Vedder joined the Who for "I'm One," from their 1973 rock opera, Quadrophenia, as well as "Getting in Tune," from the group's 1971 classic, Who's Next. The Pearl Jam frontman also sang on the 1971 single "Let's See Action," according to Who guitarist/songwriter Pete Townshend's official Web site.

Oasis' Gallagher played guitar on "Won't Get Fooled Again", and Weller joined Townshend for "So Sad About Us," a Who tune he once covered with the Jam. The duet rounded out a three-song acoustic set that also included "Drowned" and "Heart To Hang Onto," a song from Rough Mix, Townshend's 1977 album with the late Faces bassist Ronnie Lane.

The concert was a benefit for London's Teenage Cancer Trust, which raises money to build cancer wards for teens in the UK. At the show, the Who presented the Trust with a check for 1 million pounds (about $1.4 million).

The concert will be shown in a pay-per-view Webcast December 2 and 3. Information is available at the Trust's Web site, www.teencancer.com.

• Oasis
• Pearl Jam
• Paul Weller
• The Who

Crowds attending the last couple of Paul Weller shows in England have been pleasantly shocked to see Noel Gallagher walk out on stage prior to Weller's performance.

The Oasis leader performed a half hour acoustic set July 6 in Wolverhampton, England, and again the next night in Bristol in front of 2000 fans. According to the OasisNews.com fan site, songs included the Beatles' "Help!" as well as Oasis hits "Wonderwall," "Stand By Me," "Don't Go Away," and "Don't Look Back In Anger."

Gallagher reportedly wandered on stage in Wolverhampton unannounced and started playing to a totally inattentive crowd. The venue manager told the BBC that most people at first thought he was an Oasis rip-off act. But after the first song, the crowd realized who it was and 'went crazy.'

At the second show, Gallagher, tongue-in-cheek, announced himself as the winner of a British talent contest.

Meanwhile brother Liam has actually been doing something constructive -- writing songs. With all the Oasis material stemming for the most part from Noel, Liam has reportedly written a song for his stepson James. He recently recorded it with Ocean Colour Scene guitarist Steve Cradock. Apparently it's too early to know if it will make it onto the next Oasis album.

• Oasis
• Paul Weller

Supergrass is the latest band to join the piano playing, gravel-voiced, New Orleans-based jazz rocker at Abbey Road studios in London. Spiritualized, Paul Weller and Primal Scream and have also recorded multiple tracks for the album, which is due this summer.

Dr. John is currently enjoying a high profile in the U.K.. He recently played a major role in the all-star charity single and video, "Perfect Day," for the BBC.

• Spiritualized
• Supergrass
• Paul Weller

Jaunuary 7 [15:00 EDT] -- Noel Gallagher has recorded a song for a tribute project dedicated to The Jam, the 80s new wave/punk combo fronted by Paul Weller. The song, "To Be Someone," was originally on the Jam album, "All Mod Cons."

Gallagher is one of several artists helping to celebrate The Jam's 20th anniversary-or at least the 20th anniversary of the band's first album. Their label, Polydor, is marking the even with a five-CD anthology called "Direction, Reaction, Creation" to be released May 20 in Britain, the same day "In the City" was issued in 1977. That release will be followed by remasters of their six studio LPs and capped off with the aforementioned tribute album.

The guest list on the latter also includes The Prodigy and the Beastie Boys.

Gallagher addressed the Jam project in an interview with a British disc jockey, saying he chose that track because he liked the line, "Getting drugged up with my trendy friends." He added that he had been paid "20 grand" for the project, but it wasn't clear if that was the total figure or just his share. Also not specified was the currency.

Gallagher was his usual run-off-at-the-mouth self during the interview, which was with X-FM DJ Gary Crowley just prior to Christmas and reported on by Britain's New Musical Express. Gallagher revealed that the band had been recording new material at soundchecks during their recent tour. He teased that he's been compiling tape and drum loops but then reassured fans that the next album will not be a radical departure. However, it's not happen radically fast. He told the interviewer he didn't want to even think about the next album for a long time, saying the band was planning to take a long break from the UK this year once they had completed their tours of America, Japan and Australia, which most likely means this Spring.

The band is booked through March.

• Oasis
• Paul Weller

November 17 [10:00 EDT] -- Rock veteran Paul Weller, best known for fronting the Jam and Style Council and now enjoying a reasonably successful solo career, was arrested and jailed for generally wreaking havoc not to mention his hotel room last week in Paris. London's Daily Mirror reports that the rock star, in town for a concert, went drinking in the Warwick hotel lounge with the local reps from his record company, but the bar shut down at 11 PM. The record reps apparently headed home, but Weller returned to his room, drank its mini-bar dry, then called the front desk and demanded the hotel reopen the main bar. When management refused, Weller took it out on the room by banging on the walls, throwing around the furniture and ripping up the carpet.

The police were called and Weller was arrested. He apparently spent eight hours behind bars before being bailed out just before noon the following day. The damages, roughly 4000 British pounds worth, were paid by the concert promoter which pre-empted the hotel pursuing their complaint. A reportedly subdued Weller left the jail with the promoter and traveled directly to the concert venue where he performed that night.

A friend of Weller's told the paper the singer was upset because he was about to turn 40, but the comment was later laughingly dismissed by a band spokesperson.

• Paul Weller

June 13 [12:00 EDT] -- The late Ronnie Lane will be honored with a tribute EP organized by Birmingham band Ocean Colour Scene and featuring Noel Gallagher, Paul Weller and Primal Scream.

The New Musical Express reports that Noel Gallagher joined OCS on a cover of Ronnie Lane's "The Poacher," and former Jam man Paul Weller contributed to Lane¹s "Done This One Before" and the Faces song "Debris." Primal Scream have also recorded a track according to the magazine.

Ocean Colour Scene bassist Damon Minchella said in an interview that they would be donating all the money to Lane's family. Minchella said they had planned on recording a tribute later this year anyway, but the death of the Small Faces/Faces co-founder from MS last week caused them to act on the project more quickly. No release details were available at press time.

• Ronnie Lane
• Oasis
• Paul Weller