Music News Net

DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS Forced to Reschedule Remaining Shows

     MUSIC NEWS - The Drive-By Truckers have had to reschedule remaining tour dates for the this week due to illness. Patterson Hood was forced to sit out of this past weekend’s shows due to walking pneumonia and needs some more time to recuperate. The band had been on tour promoting 2008's Brighter Than Creations Dark cd and has sent out their sincere apologizes to fans. Your original ticket will be valid for the rescheduled shows.  If you're unable to make the new dates, you can obtain a refund at the point of purchase. See details below-

TV on the RADIO Touring for SCIENCE !

     MUSIC NEWS - NY indie popsters TV on the RADIO return to the touring concert stage this Spring for some headlining gigs and an appearance at Coachella Music Festival in Indio, CA. The band will be on the road continuing to promote their third studio album, September 2008's "Dear Science" (buy CD here) (produced by bandmember Dave Sitek), which has received considerable fan and critical acclaim as well as showing up on many 2008 Top Ten CD lists !  Dear Sciance is their first release on Interscope Records after moving over from the Chicago indie label Touch and Go (see recent Touch and Go news) . 

TV on the Radio's Spring jaunt starts off on May 12 in Louisville, KY, with a number of Souther US shows before heading north to the Pacific Northwest and into Canada. The tour winds down on June 8 in Washington, DC.  The band also makes an April 18 appearance at Coachella. Full itinerary is listed are below.

RACHAEL YAMAGATA Announces Spring Tour

     MUSIC NEWS - Rachael Yamagata will hit the road this spring for a headlining tour to continue to promote her latest release -  Elephants…Teeth Sinking Into Heart, (Oct 2008 release on Warner Bros. Records). The tour starts off on March 12^th in Philadelphia, PA and criss-crosses the USA before wrapping up on April 10^th in NYC. The night before the tour begins, Yamagata will be part of the R.E.M. tribute concert at Carnegie Hall on March 11^th. She will also perform March 14th on CBS’s The Early Show.

The follow-up to Yamagata’s 2004 full-length debut, Happenstance (buy here), her return to a major label, Elephants…Teeth Sinking Into Heart (buy here) has been praised by fans and press. The CD contains two parts: the first, Elephants, is the darker and more vulnerable of the two, while the guitar-driven Teeth Sinking Into Heart is grittier and more defiantly cynical. Underscored by Yamagata’s husky alto and expressive piano (and now guitar) playing, the two parts, when taken together, present a snapshot of the emotions that revolve around heartbreak and the inevitable challenges of relationships.  Of the album’s 15 tracks, Nebraska-based Mike Mogis, the multi-instrumentalist and producer known for his work with Bright Eyes, Rilo Kiley and The Faint, produced 12. Two tracks were produced by John Alagia (John Mayer, Dave Matthews Band), who also produced Happenstance. The album also features guest appearances by singer-songwriters Ray Lamontagne and Azure Ray’s Maria Taylor.

Aussie Folk-rockers, TAMARAMA Busy in Wonderland City

MUSIC NEWS - Right from the sandy beaches of their native Sydney, Australia and onto the streets of New York City, folk-rockers TAMARAMA are making a major multi-media entry into American consciousness as one of early 2009’s breakout discoveries.  Their new EP, WONDERLAND CITY (via Universal Motown), comes as the duo (Jay Lyon, Nicolas “Pottsy” Potts) play recurring roles as themselves on the new MTV series THE CITY. Jay is in particular focus as the new love interest of series co-star Whitney Port.

TAMARAMA’s warm vocal blend and acoustic arrangements instantly establish the band’s signature sound, a relaxed mix fusing American west coast folk-rock; the transatlantic singer-songwriter tradition that includes Paul Simon and Donovan; the softer side of Bob Marley; and the new acoustic style of Jack Johnson.

The band is currently wrapping up a West Coast US tour, and WONDERLAND CITY is available digitally on iTunes and now on cd at retail outlets and online (buy cd here). Check out their MySpace page!  Aside from streams of four of the EP tracks, the band’s MySpace.com page also includes the reggae “Illusions” and two videos, the EP track “Everything to Me,” directed by Pottsy’s father, and “Middle of a Magazine.”

See TAMARAMA cd contest news below-

The Ting Tings US Spring Tour Ticket Contest

     MUSIC NEWS - Columbia Records/Sony Music and The Ting Tings have today announced a contest to win tickets for their US Spring Tour (or a cool prize pack).  Check out rules and enter at Ting Tings contest. As MNN previously announced, The Ting Tings are back for a US tour this March and will visit 22 cities  continuing to promote their May 08 release, We Started Nothing.  And, check out their new, Thats Not My Name video.

New - "Green and White Stripes" Video from OBI BEST

MUSIC NEWS - LA's Obi Best have unveiled a brand new video "Green and White Stripes".  It's directed by Max Goldblatt, who also helmed the video for MGMT's "Boogie Down."  Obi Best is fronted by Alex Lilly, best known for her turn as back-up singer in retro/pop group The Bird and the Bee.  The new "Green..." track is off their new album Capades, releasing February 24th, via Social Science Recordings.   Check it out on our Todays Video Clip page.

Akron/Family to Take New Music to the Audience

     MUSIC NEWS - Indie-folk trio, Akron/Family have booked a series of March shows to fine tune music from their upcoming new studio album, "Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free", in front of live audiences.  The group starts off on March 1 in Santa Monica, CA. The tour runs through late March will include multiple stops in several cities, including a March 6 thru 8 visit to San Francisco and a March 10 thru 12 stop in LA (tinerary is  below).

"Set 'Em Wild..." will be the group's fourth studio album, and is scheduled for a May 5, 2009 release via Dead Oceans Records.  It's their first since leaving its longtime label, Swans' frontman Michael Gira's Young God imprint. Their previous cd, 07's "Love Is Simple" (buy CD here), was their last recording with founding member Ryan Vanderhoof, who left between the album's release and the start of the band's tour to "live in a Buddhist Dharma center," according to reports.  Akron/Family is now;  Dana Janssen, Seth Olinsky and Miles Seaton.

Court Rules JACKSON BROWNE Lawsuit Against John McCain Can Proceed

      MUSIC NEWS - The US District Court for the Central District of California has denied the motions of Senator John McCain and the Republican National Committee to stop the lawsuit filed by singer/ songwriter Jackson Browne for the unauthorized use of Browne's voice and song Running On Empty in a presidential campaign commercial ! A legal victory for Mr Browne, who filed his suit in August, 2008 for copyright infringement, false endorsement and violation of his right of publicity. In a series of rulings on February 20, 2009, Judge Gary Klausner, rejected McCain's/RNC arguments that the First Amendment or copyright's fair use doctrine allows their unauthorized use of Browne's voice and song because the use occurred in a political campaign commercial.

Browne's attorney, Lawrence Iser,said; "The Court's decision is a solid victory for songwriters and performers and reflects an affirmation of their intellectual property rights and their freedom from being conscripted as involuntary endorsers of political candidates and campaign messages. We are happy that the Court recognized that persons and parties running for office are not entitled to violate an individual's intellectual property and publicity rights simply because they are engaged in political campaigns. We look forward to presenting Jackson Browne's case to the jury."  You can read the Court’s Orders denying the RNC's motions here, here,  here and here.

We wonder if Ann & Nancy Wilson, HEART, will now consider action against McCain for his use of their music and classic rock hit, Barracuda ??

In other Jackson Browne news, he's about to embark on a tour; February thru May taking his music to Australia, NZ, the UK and Europe (see itinerary below) in support of his latest album,Time the Conqueror (buy CD here).

INXS Responds to "Dumped" Lead Singer Controversy

     MUSIC NEWS - Australian rockers INXS have responded to reports that they ruthlessly dumped their lead singer JD Fortune at an airport and insisted his recent outburst has now ruled out any chance of his return.  Fortune, who won the jopb with the band on a reality TV show, last week claimed he was fired from the band with only a handshake as he waited for a flight at the Hong Kong airport.

But a spokesperson for the Australian rockers claims that band members, Andrew Farris, Jon Farris, Tim Farris, Kirk Pengilly and Garry Beers are very surprised by Fortune's statement, because they were about to involve him in their next recording venture and tour.  INXS creative director Chris Murphy says, "Not only are we shocked by the claims, even the place the supposed incident was to have taken place is a mystery to the band.  "What annoys me the most after viewing Fortune's interview is the bloody slant he makes toward the founding band members. These guys are the nicest people on this planet, they are not the people he portrays. "The band have always stated to me that Fortune's services could potentially be contracted again when INXS next tour. In fact he was next on my list to call regarding a very big recording project I am putting together for INXS at present. I guess I have no reason to call him now."

SPRINGSTEEN To Get GLASTONBURY Festival Headline Slot

     MUSIC NEWS - Confirmed,  BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN has been announced today as the main headline act at this summer's UK Glastonbury Festival for Saturday night as part of his 2009 World Tour for his new Working on a Dream album.   "The Boss", had been widely rumored to take the top spot on the festival's pyramid stage in what has been considered a "return to roots" for Britain's best-known music festival.  Last year, rapper Jay-Z was the headliner.  This caused complaints and resentment among traditional festival fans who believed the event was moving away from its guitar-based heritage, and was blamed for slow ticket sales. Michael Eavis, the local Somerset farmer who's hosted the festival since 1970, was somewhat vindicated when last year's event was praised by critics, many of whom judged the festival one of the best of recent years.  Even so, Eavis hoped Glastonbury 2009 would "revisit its musical roots".

Other acts have been rumored for some time (but not confirmed) to headline have been the Canadian folk/rocker, Neil Young, and the reformed Blur, the band who helped popularize the Britpop music genre of the '90s.  Several groups have announced they've agreed to perform at Glastonbury 2009 are; Florence and The Machine, The Ting Tings, Doves and Franz Ferdinand.  Tickets for the festival have sold out but a limited number of cancelled tickets will go on sale at 9am on April 5, 2009.

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BUDDY MILLER Suffers Heart Attack While on Tour

        MUSIC NEWS -   Nashville singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer, Buddy Miller suffered a heart attack in Baltimore, MD, on Friday, February 20. He was on tour with Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin and Shawn Colvin as part ot the  "3 Girls And Their Buddy" tour.  Mr Miller, 56, was taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, and he underwent a successful triple-bypass heart surgery. Miller will be recovering in Baltimore for several weeks and unable to make the final February 20 thru 22 tour dates.

His songs have been recorded by the Dixie Chicks, Lee Ann Womack, Brooks & Dunn and others. He's a veteran of Harris' Spyboy band, and in 2008 was touring as a featured instrumentalist in the Robert Plant - Alison Krauss' band.  As a producer, he's worked albums for Solomon Burke, Allison Moorer, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and others.  He has been working as producer on a new Patty Griffin album.

Miller is married to Nashville singer-songwriter Julie Miller, and the two have a duo album coming out on March 3 via New West Records.

UPDATE- 3/6/09 - Buddy's mgmt company reports that he's now at home recuperating, and doing well !

Good News for Jamband Fans - Relix and Jambands.com to Stay Open

     MUSIC NEWS-  Teetering on the edge of closing, word today (via BrooklynVegan.com) is that the jamband print piece,Relix their cousin-operation Jambands.com were sold recently and will remain in operation!  No word on who the new owner is, or of the future plans for the mag and site.  But, we're told that the "core" editorial team will remain in place at both Relix and Jambands.com were owned by Zenbu Media, a vertically-integrated media company with four core divisions; Print, Digital, Events and Records. Zenbu owns Metal Man Metal Edge, Global Rhythm the Bonnaroo Beacon (distributed at the Bonnaroo festival and other music media concerns. No word on the status of Zenbu's other companies.

IRON MAIDEN's Flight 666 Film to Take Off on March 14

     MUSIC NEWS - The world premiere of the forthcoming Iron Maiden film, FLIGHT 666 has been announced.  The documentary of their SOMEWHERE BACK IN TIME World Tour will premiere at the Cine Odeon Petrobras in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Saturday, March, 14, 2009 says manager Rod Smallwood.  The screening will be followed by a North American premiere at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas on March 18th, at the Paramount Theatre.  The film will then make its way to cinemas worldwide for release on April 21st. Check out the trailer below for Flight 666 :

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THE CURE to Help Stranded UK Ticketholders

     MUSIC NEWS - Over 500 fans of rockers,THE CURE, were stuck recently without concert tickets and their money when UK ticket broker, Trinity Street, shut down.  Now, the band and promoter, AEG have been assured they can attend the upcoming "Big Gig" concert at London's O2 Arena  on February 26, 2009 (the gig also feature Franz Ferdinand and Crystal Castles).  Promoters AEG negiotiated a deal with Trinity Street, and have promised fans they will be able to the event. 

A statement from The Cure and AEG reads: "New tickets will be despatched to you on Monday, by registered post... We would like to take this opportunity to offer our sincerest apologies for the inconvenience that you may have experienced."

See Sold-Out Shows! Tickets Available on StubHub.com (ad)

JEFF BECK Charts Brief US Spring Tour, Announces Euro & UK Dates!

     MUSIC NEWS - Legendary guitarist JEFF BECK follows up his April 4, 2009 Rock and Roll HALL OF FAME induction with a long overdue coast-to-coast tour of the USA. The 10-city run will kick off April 6 at Scranton Cultural Center in Scranton, PA, and ends April 23 at Fox Theater in Oakland, CA. Beck is in the Hall of Fame already, as a member of the Yardbirds.  This time, he'll be honored for his solo work. Other 2009 inductees are heavy metal band Metallica, doo-wop group Little Anthony & The Imperials, hip-hop trailblazers Run-D.M.C., and R&B singer Bobby Womack at the Cleveland, OH induction ceremony on April 4, 2009.  And, this is the first year that the induction ceremony is open to the public.

Beck is currently winding down a tour of the Asia-Pacific region, which included gigs in Australia and New Zealand, as well as a series of dates in Japan.  His next live performances will be co-headlined by Eric Clapton (other Clapton news) on February 21-22 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama-shi, Japan.  Beck is supported live by his backing band, members consist of bassist Tal Wikenfeld, keyboardist Jason Rebello and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta.

UPDATE 3/16/09 - See news on BACK DOOR SLAM's Davy Knowles added to Jeff Beck tour as opener ! 

UPDATE- 4/1/09 - Canadian, UK/Ireland and European dates announced (see below)