Surfer Blood returns this spring

Surfer Blood are back with a new album and new label: 1000 Palms, out May 12, on Joyful Noise.

The band’s third full-length and first release with indie imprint 1000 Palms marks a return to the band’s DIY ethos. Abandoning the big time studio, the band decided to head back home to self-record and self-produce their third album.

Last week, the band treated fans to a preview of the album’s opening track Grand Inquisitor.
Now Surfer Blood reveals a second track from the record Dorian.

Front man John Paul Pitts describes "Dorian" as the album’s central point, saying “This song has everything from classic 80's synth patches to fucked-up vocoder sound collages, embracing a series of left-turns that make it one of the most unique songs in our catalogue. It makes use of almost every sonic element we had available, and embraces the anything goes spirit this record represents.”

The story of 1000 Palms began on Jan. 1, 2014, after playing a New Year’s show in Portland, the band decided to stick around for the rest of the month, renting a practice space and sorting through a backlog of ideas. By February, as their lease ran out, Surfer Blood had recorded demos for most of the tracks that now feature on their third LP.

After a frustrating time at previous home Warner Brothers, the quartet were beyond ready to return to a more DIY recording process, completely void of the middlemen scrutinizing every bar of previous LP Pythons.

 

With the band self-recording, it was in the glamorous setting of an attic studio above a doctor’s office where drums were committed to tape. Of the work, Pitts states, “fortunately none of us are strangers to DIY recording, so it was a challenge well-suited to our band”.

The making of 1000 Palms also owes a lot to the kindness of friends and family, with the remaining instrument sessions taking place at the home of drummer Tyler Schwartz’s parents while they were on vacation. Following a few days of very little sleep and after the band pooled resources and called in favors, the band had managed to craft everything on the upcoming record. 

 

“The most important part was not over-thinking it, something we've been guilty of in the past. Instead we mostly ignored matters of length, structure, and instrumentation for the sake of leaving the material as undiluted as possible.” 

 
Track listing:

Grand Inquisitor
Island
I Can’t Explain
Feast/Famine
Point of No Return
Sabre-Tooth and Bone
Covered Wagons
Dorian
Into Catacombs
Other Desert Cities
NW Passage

Pre-order via iTunes
 

** Limited VIP vinyl edition of the album (500 hand-numbered copies on green & clear "starburst" vinyl ft. bonus flexi-disc of an album outtake) pre-order via Joyful Noise

Due out next week: Gang of Four's 'What Happens Next'

Legendary post-punk band Gang of Four will release a new album, What Happens Next, on Feb. 24 via Metropolis Records in the USA and Canada, and Membran in Europe.

The follow-up to the critically acclaimed album Content, it features collaborations with Alison Mosshart from The Kills, Robbie Furze from The Big Pink, Gail Ann Dorsey (David Bowie), German superstar Herbert Grönemeyer and Japanese superstar Hotei.

This is the first album without vocalist Jon King. What Happens Next refers to both the outside world and the band itself: an emphatic commitment to the future.

"The focus is more on universal issues, like how individuals behave in certain ways or how our world is constructed, than local issues or current affairs," says founding guitarist and songwriter Andy Gill.

"Gang of Four is anything but parochial." When King left the project, a reinvigorated Gill seized the opportunity to re-imagine Gang of Four from the ground up. The new album is an unexpected twist that still operates as the next logical step for the group.

Affirming the singular importance of the band's impact on music, Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello told Rolling Stone this past July that "there's no one more influential on my guitar playing than Andy Gill."

Having been named a massive influence by many artists including Bloc Party, R.E.M., The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nine Inch Nails, The Rapture, Franz Ferdinand and LCD Soundsystem, among hundreds of others, Gang of Four's legacy continues not by being frozen in a moment in time, but by constant evolution while remaining true to the original spirit of the band.

What Happens Next was written and produced by Andy Gill in London. The lead single is "Broken Talk", which features vocals from Alison Mosshart. The band will tour in North America next month. 

Tour dates:
 
03-03 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
03-04 Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of Living Arts
03-06 Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club
03-07 New York, NY - Irving Plaza
03-09 Toronto, Ontario - Lee's Palace
03-10 Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop
03-12 Minneapolis, MN - Varsity Theater
03-13 Chicago, IL - Park West
03-14 Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge
03-15 Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse
03-17 Houston, TX - Warehouse Live Studio
03-18 Dallas, TX - Trees
03-23 San Francisco, CA - The Independent
03-24 Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theatre
03-25 Solana Beach, CA - Belly Up Tavern
03-28 Santa Ana, CA - Burgerama @ The Observatory

Gang of Four is Andy Gill (guitar), John "Gaoler" Sterry (vocals), Thomas McNiece (bass) and Jonny Finnegan (drums).
 
gangoffour.co.uk
facebook.com/gangoffourofficial

Steve Earle's 'Terraplane' in stores now

Musician, actor, author and ardent lover of independent record stores, Steve Earle will perform a series of intimate acoustic in-stores around the country in support of his new album, Terraplane, out now on New West Records.

Earle, who made his first appearance on "Letterman" in 1988 in support of his now classic album, Copperhead Road, will make his final appearance Feb. 23 when he and The Dukes perform the shuffling blues single "You're The Best Lover That I Ever Had."

Throughout his more than 30-year career, Earle has mined the rich veins of American roots music from country to rock and roll, folk and rockabilly. On 16th studio album Terraplane, Earle pays tribute to the blues, influenced by the blues giants he saw growing up in Texas - Lightnin' Hopkins, Freddy King, Johnny Winter, Jimmie and Stevie Ray Vaughan, Canned Heat and Billy Gibbons.

Recorded in Nashville by Ray Kennedy and produced by R.S. Field, the new collection is his homage to the music that he calls "the commonest of human experience, perhaps the only thing that we all truly share" and a record he has wanted to make for a long time.

Over 11 original tracks, Earle and his band The Dukes traverse various forms of the blues - from the Texas roadhouse blues of opener "Baby Baby Baby (Baby)," to the acoustic blues of "Ain't Nobody's Daddy Now" and the Chicago blues of "The Usual Time to the pre-war blues of "Baby's Just As Mean As Me," a duet with Eleanor Whitmore.

The electrified "King of The Blues" features some scorching guitar playing from guitarist Chris Masterson and on "The Tennessee Kid" Earle sounds like a possessed street preacher as he retells the Faustian crossroads legend over a John Lee Hooker-esque boogie.

Earle is set to return for his second year of Camp Copperhead. The four-day-long immersion songwriting camp led by Earle, debuted last summer in upstate New York and immediately sold out.

In 2015, Camp Copperhead will take place again in Big Indian, NY located in the beautiful Catskill Mountains just north of New York City on July 20 through July 24. For more information, please visit camp-copperhead.com.

An actor with acclaimed roles in HBO's The Wire and Treme, Earle is currently in the just released film, The World Made Straight and can be seen in the upcoming film Dixieland later this year.

His long awaited memoir "I Can't Remember If We Said Goodbye" will be published by Grand Central Publishing/Hachette Book Group this year. He can be seen in many episodes of the Foo Fighters HBO Original Series "Sonic Highways" and also co-wrote the title track with Marianne Faithfull for her new studio album, Give My Love To London.

Terraplane is available as a single CD, deluxe CD/DVD, digitally, as well as 180g vinyl. The deluxe version of the album includes 24-bit high-res audio of the album as well as a long form interview between Earle and acclaimed journalist Mark Jacobson, three live, acoustic songs filmed on the porch of House of Blues Studio D, and a behind-the-scenes short film about the making of the album.

Remaining tour dates: 

March 6 - Nashville, TN @ City Winery
March 7 - Nashville, TN @ City Winery
April 24 - Indio, CA @ Stagecoach Festival

SteveEarle.com

Daryl Hall and John Oates news

This week is a big one for Daryl Hall and John Oates fans in advance of a special theatrical concert event on Thursday, February 19.
  
Earlier today, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers appeared on The Howard Stern Show for a wide ranging - and sometimes hilarious - interview and acoustic band performances of "She's Gone" and "Maneater" (SiriusXM radio subscribers can access it via On Demand for 21 days; scroll ahead to approximately the 2:00 mark).

Tomorrow, they do a plugged-in performance and interview on ABC-TV's The View.

Later that night (7 p.m. local time), the pair will be featured during "Daryl Hall & John Oates: Recorded Live From Dublin." Recorded before a sellout crowd in July 2014 at Ireland's Olympia Theatre, it will be presented in more than 300 select movie theaters around the country (for a complete list of theater locations visit the Fathom Events website).

Over 90 minutes of concert footage included in this event are their hits "I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)," "Rich Girl, "Kiss on My List," "Private Eyes," "Out of Touch" and more -- will be shown along with special interviews and exclusive backstage footage. Tickets are still available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. (For those who want to own it, Eagle Rock Entertainment also releases the DVD and Blu-ray on March 31)
 
In related news, John Oates recently put out Another Good Road, his new DVD+CD (PS Records/Warner Elektra), which revolves around a series of EPs that were eventually compiled into the Good Road to Follow album.

Directed by Sean Hagwell, the live performance is mixed with documentary footage as Oates takes the viewer through his primary locales of Woody Creek, Colorado and Nashville. 

 

"This video is a real as it gets: one take on each song and no post production fixes or overdubs - just an amazing band and singers with the intensity and energy of playing these songs for the first time," Oates said in a press release. "We had one day, one chance to make magic together, and the results are 'Another Good Road.'"

 

Backing him are Shane Theriot (guitar), Steve Mackey (bass), Russ Pahl (pedal steel), the sumptuous Wendy Moten and longtime session vet Bekka Bramlett (background vocals), Kevin McKendree (keyboards) and Johnny Richardson (drums).

 

"I've had the honor and pleasure of performing and recording with all of the players on the video over the past few years,” Oates added. “I trust their instincts, respect their musicianship and count on them as friends and professionals."

 

The main 45-minute Another Good Road program starts as the pop/rock vet leaves home and drives. "Travelling defines what I'm all about. The moves I've made in my life changed the course of everything I do," admits Oates. 

 

Then the proceedings find him playing both acoustic and electric guitars in an intimate setting. Many of the live songs have a relaxed, soulful groove ("Let's Drive," "Stone Cold Love"), while others boast a subtle blues feel ("The Head That Wears the Crown," "Stack O'Lee" - loosely based on rock 'n' roll oldie "Stagger Lee"). Elsewhere, a laid back, early '70s Hall & Oates vibe comes across ("Lose it in Louisiana," "Pushing a Rock Uphill"). 

Oates talks about delving into the Nashville songwriting community and how it embraced him and the beauty of live music: "we create something and get to have it validated right in front of us." The footage includes Oates at home on the ranch feeding his animals and casually visiting a favorite watering hole.

 

Another half hour of bonus material is divided into nine short interview segments where  Oates provides background on various songs included on his album. Several of the well-known collaborators (Jim Lauderdale, Vince Gill, One Republic's Ryan Tedder, Nathan Chapman, Tommy Sims, Hot Chelle Rae's Ryan Follese) also discuss what it was like working together. For Oates fans, it's a fascinatig glimpse into his solo creative process. 

 

Highly recommended.  

 

Buy the Another Good Road DVD+CD: HERE

 

In other Hall news, the new season of "Live From Daryl's House" will debut on Palladia this spring. 

Broadway musical "Memphis" arrives in Riverside, Calif. tonight

My story originally appeared at sbsun.com and dailybulletin.com.

A forbidden love story and the birth of rock ’n’ roll are at the heart of “Memphis.”

Arriving in Riverside, Calif. on Valentine’s Day weekend, the musical ran nearly three years on Broadway and won multiple Tony and Drama Desk awards in 2010. And unlike such jukebox shows as “Mamma Mia,” “Rock of Ages” or “American Idiot,” which use previous hit songs as the score, “Memphis” is entirely original.

Set in 1950s Tennessee, “Memphis” revolves around how rhythm and blues influenced popular rock ’n’ roll music. At the center of it all is Huey Calhoun, a white radio deejay who falls hard for a rising female African-American singer during a time when interracial romance was taboo. He faces many obstacles in shepherding her career.

The Calhoun character is loosely based on real-life DJ Dewey Phillips, known for his influential Memphis radio show, “Red Hot & Blue,” which was also simulcast on TV. Phillips was first to play Elvis Presley’s music on air.

Daniel S. Hines assumes the lead “Memphis” role full-time this year, having already served as understudy on a previous tour. He saw a Broadway preview and was immediately “blown away,” he said.

“I thought it was amazing. The dancing was out of this world, the music was fantastic and the story is excellent. I fell in love with the lead role of Huey right off the bat.”

Getting into the mindset of a crazed Southern character was no problem for Hines, who attended high school in Virginia and college in North Carolina.

His musical theater background helped in preparation for “Memphis,” but it is “definitely more challenging than most roles I’ve had in the past,” admitted the performer.

“Huey is such a tour de force-type role,” he said, adding that during the two-and-a-half-hour performance, Huey is off-stage for less than 10 minutes.

“When he’s onstage, he’s always ‘on’ and babbling up the wazoo,” Hines said. “He’s loud and brash and high energy and never really slows down for the full show.”

While acting in college, Hines realized he “liked sticking out in a crowd … My dad is very outgoing and incredibly charismatic. As a kid, that always embarrassed me, but as an adult, I have found myself becoming more like him every year. That’s something I can definitely relate to in Huey a lot.”

It also helped that Hines grew up hearing Elvis music (thanks to his dad, a lifelong fan). “Before last year’s tour, I got into reading about it, listening to some early rock and getting the feel for what rhythm and blues was like at the beginning.”

The love story in “Memphis” has been compared to the one to “West Side Story.” Hines agrees.

“In this case, it’s the racial tension between black and white America in the South in the ’50s. It is definitely about star-crossed lovers and that feeling. It certainly was a hard love story to make happen in a very important time in our country’s history. I think it’s an important story to share for that reason.”

David Bryan won several accolades for co-writing the music, lyrics and orchestrations. The Bon Jovi keyboardist/backing vocalist approached the production as “entertainment with a message” and once said he was proud that people who saw it in New York City “maybe walked out hating each other a little less and understanding that we’re all different.”

“The idea that humanity can come together is certainly a strong and important theme,” Hines added. “If you use rock ’n’ roll as a metaphor for that sense of humanity, that sense of heart and spirit and life, I think that’s kind of the feeling we want to get.”

Where: Fox Performing Arts Center, 3801 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside, Calif.
When: 7 p.m. Feb. 13, 1 and 7 p.m. Feb. 14 
Information: 951-779-9804, www.riversidelive.com
www.memphistour2015.com
Upcoming shows: Feb. 15 (Bakersfield, Calif.), Feb. 17 (Butte, Mont.)

Concert tour roundup: Ricky Martin, Ed Sheeran, Vance Joy, Barenaked Ladies, Replacements, Spoon

Ricky Martin announced the North American dates for his One World Tour in support of his new album, A Quien Quiera Escuchar, in stores now. Tickets go on sale starting Feb. 20 at livenation.com.

The multi-platinum award winning artist’s 10th studio album is available in two versions – original and deluxe.

Lead single "Adios" has had 14 million views on Vevo since its release in October. In support of the release, Martin will be making several national television appearances including Un Nuevo Dia (Feb. 12) and the Wendy Williams Show (Feb. 13).
 
Tour Dates:

Tues, Sept. 15	Las Vegas, NV	Axis At Planet Hollywood
Thurs, Sept. 17	Oakland, CA	Oracle Arena (on sale Feb. 21)
Sat, Sept. 19	Los Angeles, CA	The Forum (on sale Feb. 21)
Sun, Sept. 20	San Diego, CA	Viejas Arena
Thurs, Sept. 24	Albuquerque, NM	Sandia Casino
Sat, Sept. 26	Phoenix, AZ	Comerica Theatre
Sun, Sept. 27	El Paso, TX	El Paso County Coliseum (on sale TBA)
Wed, Sept. 30	Houston, TX	Toyota Center
Thurs, Oct. 1	Laredo, TX	Laredo Energy Arena
Sat, Oct. 3	San Antonio, TX	Freeman Coliseum
Sun, Oct. 4	Dallas, TX	Gexa Energy Pavilion
Thurs, Oct. 8	New York, NY	Madison Square Garden
Fri, Oct. 9	Washington DC	Patriot Center
Sun, Oct. 11	Chicago, IL	Allstate Arena
Thurs, Oct. 15	Toronto, ON	Air Canada Centre
Sat, Oct. 17	Atlantic City, NJ	Boardwalk Hall (on sale Feb. 21)
Sun, Oct. 18	Uncasville, CT	Mohegan Sun Arena
Thurs, Oct. 22	Atlanta, GA	Phillips Arena
Sat, Oct. 24	Miami, FL	American Airlines Arena
Sun, Oct. 25	Orlando, FL	Amway Center

 

Ed Sheeran unveiled details for his 2015 North American headlining tour. The cross country trek will kick off in May. Pre-sale tickets will be available for select dates starting Feb. 16, followed by general public on-sale tickets starting on Feb 20. For ticket information and tour updates, visit edsheeran.com.

The tour announcement comes on the heels of the acclaimed singer-songwriter’s night at the 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards, where Sheeran was nominated for 3 awards, including the prestigious “Album of the Year” for his RIAA platinum-certified album “x” (pronounced multiply). Sheeran’s other nominations came in the categories for “Best Pop Vocal Album” and “Best Song Written For Visual Media” for his song “I See Fire” from the feature film The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Sheeran also did a performance of his platinum single “Thinking Out Loud,” where he was joined by Herbie Hancock, John Mayer, and Questlove. Sheeran returned to the stage to perform with Jeff Lynne’s ELO. Both “x” and “Thinking Out Loud” shot to #1 on iTunes immediately following his appearance.

Latest single “Thinking Out Loud” reached #1 on the Hot AC radio chart and #2 at Top 40. Likewise, “Thinking Out Loud” is #2 on Billboard Hot 100, earning the acclaimed singer-songwriter the highest charting U.S. single of his career so far. “Thinking Out Loud” is the third single from “x” following platinum singles “Sing” and “Don’t.” 

 

The artist is among the star-studded lineup performing on CBS’ “Stevie Wonder: Songs In The Key Of Life – An All-Star GRAMMY Salute” which airs on February 16. Sheeran will return to London to perform at this year’s BRIT Awards, where he’s nominated for 4 awards, including Male Solo Artist, Single, and Album Of The Year.

Headlining Tour Dates:
*denotes festival date

MAY
2 New Orleans, LA New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival*
6 Austin, TX Frank Erwin Center
7 Dallas, TX Verizon Theatre at Grande Prairie
9 Tulsa, OK BOK Center
10 St. Louis, MO Chaifetz Arena
12 Pittsburgh, PA CONSOL Energy Center
13 Albany, NY Times Union Center
15 Las Vegas, NV Rock in Rio USA*
19 Salt Lake City, UT EnergySolutions Arena
23 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
24 Bangor, ME Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion
26 Philadelphia, PA the Mann
28 Forest Hills, NY Forest Hills Stadium
29 Forest Hills, NY Forest Hills Stadium

JUNE
2 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
3 Ottawa, ON Canadian Tire Centre
5 London, ON Budweiser Gardens
6 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
7 Canandaigua, NY CMAC
9 Des Moines, IA Wells Fargo Arena
10 Sioux Falls, SD Denny Sanford PREMIER Center
12 Winnipeg, MB MTS Centre
13 Regina, SK Brandt Centre
14 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place
16 Saskatoon, SK SaskTel Centre
17 Calgary, AB Scotiabank Saddledome
19 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena
20 Portland, OR Moda Center
23 San Diego, CA Valley View Casino Center
24 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl
26 San Francisco, CA Greek Theater at Berkeley

JUNE
29 Denver, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre

JULY
2 Indianapolis, IN Klipsch Amphitheater
3 Milwaukee, WI Summerfest 

Vance Joy's North American headline tour starts April 9. The newly announced dates pave the way for Vance Joy’s turn as main support on Taylor Swift’s “The 1989 World Tour.” Those shows begin May 20 in Louisiana and continue through a return to Joy’s native Australia, set for Nov. 28. For complete details and ticket information, visit vancejoy.com.

“Riptide,” Vance Joy’s debut North American single, now certified platinum, remains a multi-format smash, nearing the top 30 of Billboard’s Hot 100 and Top 40 radio outlets nationwide. The track, which was just added into rotation at KIIS FM in Los Angeles, previously spent 5 weeks as the #1 song at Alternative outlets across the country. What’s more, the “Riptide” companion video is now nearing 50 million individual views at http://youtu.be/uJ_1HMAGb4k.

 

“Mess Is Mine,” the latest single from dream your life away, which has more than 20 million streams on Spotify, is shaping up as another multi-format success. The track is currently ascending the top 20 at Alternative outlets nationwide, with its companion video drawing more than 2.7 million views thus far at www.youtube.com/watch?v=1C816p-KTNk. Joy recently performed the song on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, marking the first performance of the song on US television: http://abc.go.com/shows/jimmy-kimmel-live/video/VDKA0_itjjdyq3. For more, please see http://vancejoy.com, www.facebook.com/Vancejoy, http://twitter.com/vancejoy, and www.atlanticrecords.com.

World Tour 2015
*denotes supporting Taylor Swift

APRIL
9 Seattle, WA The Showbox
10 Portland, OR Roseland Ballroom
12 Indio, CA Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
15 Mexico City, Mexico El Plaza Condesa
19 Indio, CA Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
21 Denver, CO Gothic
27 Austin, TX Stubb’s
28 Houston, TX House Of Blues

MAY
15 Miami, FL Revolution
15-17 Gulf Shores, AL Hangout Music Fest 2015
20 Bossier City, LA CenturyLink Center *
22 Baton Rouge, LA LSU Tiger Stadium *
22-24 Boston, MA Boston Calling Music Festival
29 Chicago, IL Metro
30 Detroit, MI Ford Field *

JUNE
2 Louisville, KY KFC Yum! Center *
3 Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena *
5-7 New York, NY Governor’s Ball NYC Music Festival
6 Pittsburgh, PA Heinz Field *
8 Charlotte, NC Time Warner Cable Arena *
9 Raleigh, NC PNC Arena *
12 Philadelphia, PA Lincoln Financial Field *
13 Philadelphia, PA Lincoln Financial Field *

JULY
6 Ottawa, ON Canadian Tire Centre *
7 Montreal, QB Bell Centre *
10 East Rutherford, NJ MetLife Stadium *
11 East Rutherford, NJ MetLife Stadium *
13 Washington, DC Nationals Park *
14 Washington, DC Nationals Park *
18 Chicago, IL Soldier Field *
19 Chicago, IL Soldier Field *
24 Foxborough, MA Gillette Stadium *
25 Foxborough, MA Gillette Stadium *

AUGUST
1 Vancouver, BC BC Place Stadium *
4 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place *
5 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place *
8 Seattle, WA CenturyLink Field *
14 Santa Clara, CA Levi’s Stadium *
15 Santa Clara, CA Levi’s Stadium *
17 Glendale, AZ Gila River Arena *
18 Glendale, AZ Gila River Arena *
21 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center *
22 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center *
24 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center *
25 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center *
26 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center *
29 San Diego, CA PETCO Park *

SEPTEMBER
4 Salt Lake City, UT Energy Solutions Arena *
5 Denver, CO Pepsi Center *
6 Denver, CO Pepsi Center *
9 Fargo, ND Fargodome *
11 St. Paul, MN Xcel Century Center *
12 St. Paul, MN Xcel Century Center *
13 St. Paul, MN Xcel Century Center *
16 Indianapolis, IN Bankers Life Fieldhouse *
17 Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena *
18 Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena *
21 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center *
22 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center *
25 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena *
26 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena *
28 St. Louis, MO Scottrade Center *

OCTOBER
2 Toronto, ON Rogers Centre *
3 Toronto, ON Rogers Centre *
8 Des Moines, IA Wells Fargo Arena *
9 Omaha, NE CenturyLink Center *
10 Omaha, NE CenturyLink Center *
13 Houston, TX Minute Maid Park *
17 Dallas, TX AT&T Stadium *
20 Lexington, KY Rupp Arena *
21 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum Complex *
24 Atlanta, GA Georgia Dome *
27 Miami, FL American Airlines Arena *
31 Tampa, FL Raymond James Stadium *

NOVEMBER
28 Sydney, Australia ANZ Stadium * 

Barenaked Ladies will be heading back out on the road this summer for their second 2015 Last Summer on Earth Tour.

Joined by special guests Violent Femmes and Colin Hay of Men At Work, the Ladies' jaunt kicks off in June.

Tickets go on sale Feb. 13 at 10am local time in select markets and every tour date will have VIP upgrade packages available. See full list of tour dates below. For updates and more information visit barenakedladies.com.

Ladies lead singer Ed Robertson states, "It's the Last Summer On Earth... Again! It's not a doomsday prediction; it's a call to action. We sincerely hope this won't be the 'last summer on Earth,' but just in case, we're going to rock like it is!!"

The tour coincides with the release of the band’s, as yet untitled, new album due out on Vanguard Records later this summer. Fans that purchase tickets to the 2015 Last Summer on Earth Tour will instantly receive one track from the new album and a digital download of the full album upon release.

Tour Dates: 

5-Jun-15 – Columbus, OH @ The LC Pavilion
6-Jun-15 – Cleveland, OH @ Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica
7-Jun-15 – Toledo, OH @ Toledo Zoo Amphitheatre
8-Jun-15 – Cedar Rapids, IA @ McGrath Amphitheatre
10-Jun-15 – Denver, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
12-Jun-15 – Red Wing, MN @ Treasure Island Resort & Casino Island Events Center
13-Jun-15 – Milwaukee, WI @ BMO Harris Pavilion
14-Jun-15 – Council Bluffs, IA @ Stir Cove at Harrah’s Council Bluffs
16-Jun-15 – Chicago, IL @ FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
17-Jun-15 – Indianapolis, IN @ Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River State Park
19-Jun-15 – Cincinnati, OH @ PNC Pavilion
20-Jun-15 – Detroit, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
21-Jun-15 – Salamanca, NY @ Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino
23-Jun-15 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE
26-Jun-15 – Portland, ME @ Maine State Pier
27-Jun-15 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
28-Jun-15 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Mann Center for the Performing Arts
29-Jun-15 – Boston, MA @ Blue Hills Bank Pavilion
1-Jul-15 – New York, NY @ JBL Live at Pier 97
2-Jul-15 – West Windsor, NJ @ Mercer County Park Festival Grounds
3-Jul-15 – Solomons, MD @ PNC Waterside Pavilion
4-Jul-15 – Raleigh, NC @ The Red Hat Amphitheatre
8-Jul-15 – Charlotte, NC @ Uptown Amphitheatre at the Music Factory
10-Jul-15 – Boca Raton, FL @ Sunset Cove Amphitheatre
11-Jul-15 – St. Augustine, FL @ St Augustine Amphitheatre
12-Jul-15 – Atlanta, GA @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park
13-Jul-15 – Nashville, TN @ Woods at Fontanel
15-Jul-15 – Dallas, TX @ Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie
17-Jul-15 – Albuquerque, NM @ Venue TBD
18-Jul-15 – Las Vegas, NV @ Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
19-Jul-15 – San Diego, CA @ Cal Coast Credit Union OAT
21-Jul-15 – Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre
22-Jul-15 – Saratoga, CA @ Mountain Winery
24-Jul-15 – Boise, ID @ Idaho Botanical Garden
25-Jul-15 – Portland, OR @ Edgefield
26-Jul-15 – Seattle, WA @ Marymoor Amphitheatre
 

photo by Steven Cohen

The Replacements walked away from each other in Chicago's Grant Park on July 4, 1991, seemingly never to return to the stage together again.

That all changed in late 2013 when singer, guitarist and principal songwriter Paul Westerberg and bassist Tommy Stinson enthusiastically reunited (with drummer Josh Freese and guitarist David Minehan in tow) for nearly 100,000 fans over three Riot Fests in Toronto, Chicago and Denver.

The reunion received rave reviews from fans and press alike, and the guys actually enjoyed themselves. Thus, the band continued its victory lap into 2014 by playing headline slots at festivals such as Coachella, Shaky Knees, Forecastle and Bumbershoot.

 

Despite being banned for life from Saturday Night Live in 1986, the band partook in a well-received and unexpected return to 30 Rock when Jimmy Fallon invited them to The Tonight Show.

 

The stage was then set for a big homecoming show at Midway Stadium in St. Paul, Minn. on Sept. 13, which sold out of all 14,000 tickets in less than 15 minutes. The following week they played for 12,000 people at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, N.Y. and the next logical step is now being taken. The step on to a tour bus for a new U.S. tour.

Following the U.S. dates, the band hops over the Atlantic to headline Spain's Primavera Sound festival, as well as club dates in London and Amsterdam.

Tour Dates:

 

APRIL
9 - Seattle, WA - Paramount Theatre
10 - Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
13 - San Francisco, CA - The Masonic
16 - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Palladium
19 - Denver, CO - The Fillmore
29 - Chicago, IL - The Riviera Theatre
30 - Chicago, IL - The Riviera Theatre

MAY
2 - Milwaukee, WI - Eagles Ballroom
3 - Detroit, MI - The Fillmore
5 - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE
6 - Columbus, OH - LC Pavilion
8 - Washington, DC - Echostage
9 - Philadelphia, PA - Festival Pier
28 - Barcelona, Spain - Primavera Sound Festival
30 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands - Paradiso

JUNE
2 - London, UK - Roundhouse

TheReplacementsOfficial.com

Tickets for newly announced performances on Spoon's 2015 North American tour in support of acclaimed album They Want My Soul are on sale Feb. 13 at 10am local time. See spoontheband.com/shows for additional information.

Tour dates:

5/09/15 – Dallas, TX – Homegrown Festival
5/15-17/15 – Gulf Shores, AL – Hangout Music Festival
5/17/15 – Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom
5/18/15 – Kansas City, MO – Midland
5/19/15 – Fargo, ND – Fargo Theatre
5/21/15 – Missoula, MT – The Wilma Theater
5/22/15 – Bend, OR – Les Schwab Amphitheater +
5/22-25/15 – Quincy, WA – Sasquatch Festival
5/24/15 –Vancouver, BC – Malkin Bowl ^
5/25/15 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory
5/27/15 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks *
5/29/15 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater
5/30/15 – Los Angeles, CA – Wiltern Theater
6/01/15 – San Diego, CA – North Park Theatre
6/12/15 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
6/13/15 – Covington, KY – Madison Theater
6/11-14/15 – Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo
6/16/15 – Brooklyn, NY – Kings Theatre
6/18/15 – Boston, MA – House of Blues
6/19/15 – Portland, ME – State Theater
6/18-21/15 – Dover, DE – Firefly

^ co-headline with Future Islands
* co-headline with The Decemberists, Courtney Barnett supporting
+ co-headline with The Decemberists, The Districts supporting

Paul Weller news

As a huge fan and supporter over the years, I can't wait to hear the new material. Read more from the press release below...

Warner Bros. Records/ Parlophone are proud to announce the signing of Paul Weller.

Saturns Pattern is his first album release through both Parlophone in the U.K. (May 11th) and Warner Bros. in the U.S. (May 12th).

The new album was recorded in Weller's own Black Barn Studio and produced by Jan "Stan" Kybert (Oasis, Bjork, Massive Attack, etc.). Weller and Kybert have worked together extensively in the past on albums such as Sonik Kicks (2012), As Is Now (2005), Studio 150 (2004) and Illumination (2002).

 

Saturns Pattern will be available in a variety of formats: standard CD, deluxe CD/DVD set, vinyl album, and limited edition deluxe box set with CD/DVD/vinyl album. The digital formats will be available in standard and deluxe editions with the deluxe edition featuring previously unreleased bonus tracks. iTunes versions are exclusively mastered.

Album pre-orders are available starting today, Feb 11 via iTunes or Amazon and will include an instant download of the first track from the album,"White Sky." Click here to view the "White Sky" video.

Saturns Pattern is comprised of a strong nine song cycle of futuristic sounds and styles. Drums were recorded by Ben Gordelier, keyboards and backing vocals by Andy Crofts both from Weller's band, additional guitar parts were contributed by Steve Cradock (Paul Weller Band, Ocean Colour Scene), Josh McClorey (The Strypes), and Steve Brooks, with whom Weller formed the short-lived original line-up of The Jam in 1972.

"It's a little bit of a leap into the unknown really," says Weller. "I don't know where it will take me... It's got a lot of movement to it. I think that's it's going to be a bit of an inspiration to people," he was recently quoted in Q Magazine (U.K.).

Since 1977 up to the present, Weller has remained a consistently ever-evolving, globally celebrated force of nature revered as one the most respected songwriters in British music history. His virtuosity as a guitarist and an immediately recognizable soul-inspired vocalist, his trademarks are second to none. As an unequalled icon of British style with a keen individualistic fashion sense, Weller has designed and curated lines of menswear and footwear. Real Stars Are Rare is his latest menswear imprint.

Weller's impressive body of work with both the fiery R&B informed punk of The Jam (1976-1982) and The Style Council (1983-1989)who's inspired mix of pop, soul, jazz and funk created genres unto themselves. Thirty years on, the seismic impact of each of these bands remains indelible. Since then, his solo work has continued to surpass everything previous. Weller has been decorated with numerous awards and accolades almost too numerous to mention with an unequaled chart history, particularly in the U.K. and Europe.

Even after roughly thirty albums, ninety + singles & EP's, various live albums, Box Sets, DVDs, a plethora of side projects and collaborations it would appear the muse and music of Weller is more confident and exciting than ever before, as he constantly pushes himself to greater heights with each recorded outing. Fiercely independent, artistically fearless but always with enthralling results, Paul Weller is a true iconoclast in every sense of the word.

Paul Weller will tour the U.K. and Europe this March and April. He will return for a tour of the east coast and mid-west of the U.S. in June. Further tour announcements and on-sale information will be confirmed and revealed very shortly. 

 

Track listing:

White Sky
Saturns Pattern
Going My Way
Long Time
Pick It Up
I'm Where I Should Be
Phoenix
In The Car...
These City Streets
 

North American tour dates:

June 9 Washington D.C. 9.30 Club
June 10 Philadelphia, Union Transfer
June 12 New York, Terminal 5
June 13 Boston Paradise Rock Club
June 14 Clifton Park (Albany), NY Upstate Music Hall
June 15 Toronto, ONT. Can. Danforth Music Hall
June 17 Chicago, IL Vic Theatre
June 18 Indianapolis, IN The Vogue
June 19 Pittsburgh, PA Mr Smalls Theatre
June 20 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg

The Mowgli's are all 'good' with new music, shows

The Mowgli's have released their new single “I’m Good” on iTunes and all digital retailers – listen HERE 

Sophomore effort Kids in Love will be released on April 14 via Photo Finish/Republic Records.

On this album, the group teamed up with producer Tony Hoffer (Kooks, Silversun Pickups, Fitz & The Tantrums) and others. Fans who pre-order receive an immediate download of “I’m Good” and previously released “Though The Dark” – pre-order here. The Mowgli's hit the road next month.

Track Listing:

1. You’re Not Alone
2. I’m Good
3. Bad Dream
4. What’s Going On
5. Through The Dark
6. Whatever Forever
7. Make It Right
8. Love Me Anyway
9. Shake Me Up
10. Home To You
11. Kids In Love
12. Sunlight 

 

Tour Dates:

March 25 San Francisco, CA @ The Independent *
March 27 Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom *
March 28 Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile
March 31 Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court Gallery *
April 2 Kansas City, MO @ The Midland Theater *
April 3 Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater *
April 4 Chicago, IL @ The Metro *
April 6 St. Louis, MO @ The Ready Room *
April 7 Columbus, OH @ The A&R Music Bar *
April 8 Indianapolis, IN @ Deluxe @ Old National Center *
April 9 Detroit, MI @ Shelter *
April 10 Toronto, ON @ The Garrison *
April 11 Montreal, QC @ La Vitrola *
April 14 Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club *
April 15 Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg *
April 16 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom *
April 17 Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer *
April 18 Washington, DC @ U Street Music Hall *
April 21 Nashville, TN @ Mercury Lounge *
April 23 Tallahassee, FL @ Florida State University *
April 24 Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room *
April 25 Orlando, FL @ The Social *
April 26 Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbits *
April 30 Dallas, TX @ House of Blues *
May 1 Austin, TX @ The Parish *
May 2 Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald’s Downstairs
May 5 Phoenix, AZ @ The Crescent Ballroom *
May 7 San Diego, CA @ The Casbah *
May 8 Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent Theater *
May 10 Atlanta, GA @ Shaky Knees Festival
May 15 Gulf Shores, AL @ Hangout Festival
May 29 Napa, CA @ Bottlerock Napa Valley
June 1 Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks ^

* w/ Fences
^ w/ Cage The Elephant and Portugal The Man