Dr. Dre has produced "It's a Shame," the first single from Devin's second album, Just Tryin' to Live, due August 27. Dre also produced "Yo Ho" for the album, and DJ Premier is behind "Doobie Ashtray," while "Some of Em" features guest vocals from Nas and Xzibit. ... Mr. Cheeks has just entered the studio to begin work on his second solo LP according to his spokesperson. P. Diddy, Bink and longtime collaborator Mr. Sexx have all signed on to supply beats. Having branched out to clothing and film, the Roc-A-Fella label has added liquor to its extended family of products. Top dogs Jay-Z and Damon Dash just purchased Armadale Vodka. ...
The Flaming Lips shot a second video for "Do You Realize??" the debut single from their new album, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, with director Mark Pellington (Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains) Thursday (July 18) in Las Vegas. The first clip, intended for U.K. video outlets, is viewable on www.flaminglips.com, and the new video is described as a semi-abstract stream of consciousness featuring fire and elephants. ...Built to Spill frontman Doug Martsch will drop his first solo album, Now You Know, on September 10. A tour to support the mellow LP will coincide with its release. ...
Brand Nubian's Lord Jamar and Gang Starr's Guru were among those who attended the album release party for The Best of D&D Vol. 2 Wednesday night in New York. Those performing at club Coda included Craig G and Jack Venom. ...DJ Sammy, who has scored a huge dance hit with a remake of Bryan Adams' "Heaven," will release his debut album, also titled Heaven, August 6. The record will include new versions of the Mamas & the Papas' "California Dreamin'" and Don Henley's "The Boys of Summer." ...
Seattle dark power metallers Nevermore have canceled all three of their scheduled Warped Tour appearances, citing undisclosed "circumstances" on their Web site. The group features founding members of Sanctuary, whose 1987 debut album was produced by Megadeth's Dave Mustaine. ... In a recent journal entry on his Web site, Marilyn Manson wrote that his band's forthcoming album has entered the mixing stages and that he has assumed personal control over their upcoming DVD. "I think you deserve to see the best that we have," he wrote, "and I intend to show it." ... A* Teens will begin a U.S. tour on July 28 in Richmond, Virginia, and run through September. Baha Men will accompany the cutesy Swedes on the Radio Disney-sponsored tour, which is in support of A*Teens' Pop 'Til You Drop! platter. ...
After the Wilco documentary "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart" made its New York premiere Wednesday night, director Sam Jones and the band's Jeff Tweedy, Glen Kotche, Leroy Bach and John Stirratt joined the likes of Conan O'Brien and studio stalwart Jim O'Rourke at the Penthouse at the Park for a soiree. Wilco had taped a "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" appearance earlier that day. ... Orlando drum 'n' bass DJ AK1200 will release his first studio album September 24 on Run Recordings. A Tribe Called Quest's Phife Dawg and Philadelphia rapper the Last Emperor guest on the record. ...
Evan Dando, Pulp singer Jarvis Cocker, Saint Etienne, Kid Loco and Lambchop are among the artists featured on Total Lee! The Songs of Lee Hazlewood, due August 6. Lee Hazlewood produced and wrote hits for Elvis Presley, Dean Martin and Nancy Sinatra, including "These Boots Are Made for Walking." ... After releasing a mix album (Modern Mantra) in May and a jazz album (Optometry) earlier this month, DJ Spooky is hard at work on his next project, a magazine called 21C. An early version of the publication, which he described as a cross between Wired and Artforum, is online at www.21cmagazine.com. ...
Nine Days' second album, So Happily Unsatisfied, will feature guest appearances from Lifehouse frontman Jason Wade, who plays guitar on the first single "Good Friend" and co-wrote "Ocean," and the Wallflowers' Rami Jaffee, who plays Hammond organ on "Still Here." The album is due September 17. ... A double-disc live album recorded at the Bonnaroo Music Festival late last month in Tennessee will be released September 24, with a documentary DVD to follow in October. Highlights of the event included Steve Winwood jamming with Widespread Panic, Les Claypool sitting in with Galactic and solo sets from Trey Anastasio and Norah Jones. ...
Motown has recovered nearly 40 lost tracks by the likes of the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight & the Pips and the Isley Brothers, and will release them July 30 on A Cellarful of Motown. Among the tracks is Wonder's version of "Are You Sure Love Is the Name of This Game," which was later recorded by the Supremes. ... The 40th anniversary of the recording and release of the Beatles' first record ("Love Me Do") will be marked this fall with the re-release of "A Hard Day's Night" on September 24. The DVD will include several hours of new material, including "Give Me Everything!," a companion anthology to the Beatles' first film, and the documentary "Things They Said Today." ...
07.17.02
Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes and N.E.R.D. has added PETA to his roster by recording a downloadable outgoing voicemail message that implores listeners to be kind to animals. The message can be heard now on peta2.com and soon on the answering machines of PETA supporters. ... Radiohead have pegged Friends of the Earth to act as their representatives at next month's Earth Summit in South Africa and are encouraging fans to submit to the organization's audio petition for more accountability for industrial pollution. Singer Thom Yorke posted a message online saying, "It is not good enough to preach about the trickledown effect of economic growth if your house is being washed away, your child has skin cancer, you can't get clean water and the weather is changing beyond recognition, forever." ...
Following a round of choice Ramones reissues last year, Rhino Records is bringing back four more gems on August 20: the Phil Spector-produced End of the Century (1980), Pleasant Dreams (1981), Subterranean Jungle (1983) and Too Tough to Die (1984). The reissues will also include rare demos, radio spots and a cover of the Rolling Stones' "Street Fighting Man." ... Chicago's Thrill Jockey Records, America's home to post-rock bands such as Tortoise, the Sea and Cake and Mouse on Mars, is celebrating 10 years of making electronic blips for the kids by throwing a three-day birthday bash in New York City from September 5-7 at Irving Plaza and the Bowery Ballroom, with Tortoise headlining the first two nights and the Sea and Cake headlining the third. Thrill Jockey chose to celebrate in NYC instead of their hometown of Chicago because "the bands play here a lot." ...
Widespread Panic guitarist Michael Houser has a terminal form of cancer, he told fans on Tuesday in a letter posted on his band's Web site. The group has replaced Houser on their current tour, and the guitarist said he hopes to get back to playing sometime in the future. ... Guy/ Blackstreet honcho/superproducer Teddy Riley now has the less glamorous job of filing for protection from creditors in bankruptcy court. According to the Associated Press, Riley filed to reorganize his finances under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy law, as he did not have enough money to cover his increasingly high income-tax liabilities. ... Ben Folds will release a live album recorded during his spring solo tour on October 8. The track list for Ben Folds Live, which has not been finalized, will feature hits from his solo debut and his group's previous albums, along with B-sides such as "The Secret Life of Morgan Davis." ...
The Crystal Method will release their first mix album, Community Service, July 23 on Ultra Records. The collection will include remixes by the duo of their own favorites and hits by P.O.D. and Garbage, along with tracks by Orbital and the Plump DJs. ... Trance DJ Sasha (of Sasha & Digweed fame) will tour the States this fall in support of his first studio album, Airdrawndagger, due August 6 on Kinetic Records. The first single is titled "Wavy Gravy." ... Speaking of Sashas, Kittie collaborated with Sasha Konietzko of KMFDM on a remix of "Safe," from their latest album, Oracle, which will be released this fall. Konietzko has remixed tracks for Korn, Metallica and White Zombie, among others. ...
Buckcherry have split because "[frontman Josh Todd] was no longer having fun being in Buckcherry, and the process of making the new record had become quite disappointing to him," according to a written statement. "He thought it best to move on at this time." ... Queensrÿche belter Geoff Tate sang the blues last week after his saxophone was stolen from the Birch Hill Nite Club in Old Bridge, New Jersey. Anyone with information is encouraged to e-mail president@queensryche.com, and while there's no cash reward, a Queensrÿche Empire platinum album signed by the singer will be gifted to whoever helps to recover the beloved instrument.