Billboard is reporting that Steve Lillywhite may be joining Phish in the studio for the long-awaited (but never in doubt) reunion album.
Lillywhite produced the 1996 LP Billy Breathes, one of the band's more concise, rock-focused discs - Good news for those that might have dozed off after a couple spins of Round Room.
Add another act to the Led Zeppelin rumor tour rumor mill. David Coverdale, Whitesnake frontman and former Jimmy Page collaborator, is apparently expecting a call any day now.
If you're counting, that's the fifth band so far vying "least important opening act" of all time. Though to be fair, between his band, Stone Temple Pilots, The Cult, Velvet Revolver and Foo Fighters, Whitesnake should bring out the most 40+ groupies.
And today's award for the most unnecessary reunion goes to: Candlebox. Into the Sun, the band's first new album in ten years, is set for release this July, while lead single "Stand" can currently be heard at the band MySpace page. Yes, it sounds exactly like you think it does.
PS: Today's reminder that the music industry is f'd - Four million people bought Candlebox's debut back in 1993. In 2007, that would have made it the year's top selling disc by nearly 800,000 units.
It's looking more and more likely that this summer's STP reunion tour will turn into a full-fledged revival. Following Scott Weiland's much-discussed exit from Velvet Revolver, plans for a summer tour with his old mates quickly came to fruition. Now the band has confirmed, via Billboard, plans for record. But don't expect any new tunes until the fall:
"I think new material will come probably after this tour," bassist Robert DeLeo tells Billboard.com. "I think the whole thing now is kind of getting back and re-acclimating ourselves to the songs that we know. I think that's gonna make for a better atmosphere and better performances ... instead of doing a new record."
"Then, after this tour finishes, I think we're gonna be in a position where we've gotten to know each other again, and I think it's gonna be time to hit the studio."
We're obviously stoked about the Replacements reissues, but who knew we were this close to a 'Mats reunion? I mean it was right "within your reach" kids!
Tommy Stinson had this to say about dashing our hopes yet again:
"At the last minute, it just didn't seem like the right thing to do, so we didn't do it. But I think Paul and I have something to offer each other still. I think that's pretty obvious when we get together."
So you're saying there's a chance? Fingers crossed...
A newly-reformed and apparently rejuvenated Stone Temple Pilots played its first gig of the year last night at the Harry Houdini Estate in LA. The short set consisted mainly of the hits from Purple and Tiny Music, as well as breakthrough song "Plush."
Most interesting though, was the announcement that STP is also planning to record, promising a full-fledged new album. Check out the band's performance of "The Big Empty," live from LA, after the jump.
Oh Donnie - Though we do admire your reluctance to simply cash in on a mega-millions nostalgia act, writing new tunes isn't gonna make watching middle-aged men sing "Popsicle" any less awkward for you, and creepy for us.
All you bloggers (especially the ladies) had better just admit it - Long before you were listening to Animal Collective and posting clips on Vimeo, you were rockin' out to New Kids on the Block and working those "Hangin' Tough" dance moves in the mirror. Well, all those Saturday night practice sessions are about to pay off - NKOTB lives!
Side note: Despite breaking up in 1994, oldest member Jon Knight is now 40. Or, just three years older than Kevin Richardson of the inexplicably-still-together Backstreet Boys.
Blind Melon 2.0 (now fronted by Travis Warren) hasn't strayed far from the sound of its mid-90s hey day, and "Wishing Well," lead single off the forthcoming For My Friends (4/22), should no doubt satisfy long-time fans of the band's easygoing alt-rock vibe.
Warren had this to say about the new disc, via Billboard: "It's kind of like [1995's] 'Soup' -- the more you listen to it, the more it grows on you." We haven't heard any other new tunes yet, but that's a pretty fair summation of the newest track. Blind Melon probably won't be tearing up Billboard in '08, but if they ever decide to bring back H.O.R.D.E., get these guys on board.
Check out "Wishing Well" at the band's official MySpace page, and do a little reminiscing after the jump.
It looks like Coachella has given birth to yet another highly-anticipated reunion tour, as the legendary Scottish rockers of Jesus and Mary Chain are prepping the band's first tour and album since a 1999 breakup.
Jim and William Reid, two blokes who pretty much couldn't stand each other for most of the 90s, seem to have reached at least a tentative peace. How long that will last, God only knows, but we'll be first in line to see the fireworks.
30-year-old bloggers are in fanboy heaven today, as My Bloody Valentine has announced the first three dates for a much-anticipated reunion tour. So far we're only got UK dates on the board, but with a new album on the way shortly, we're sure this is only the tip of the icerberg. A spot at Coachella 2008 has long been rumored, but not yet confirmed.
The gigs so far include:
06-20 London, England - The Roundhouse
06-28 Manchester, England - Apollo
07-02 Glasgow, Scotland - Barrowland
The trip-hop pioneers of Portishead wrote two flat-out brilliant albums in Dummy and its self-titled follow up, then dropped off the map for nearly a decade. But based on a post from the band's official blog, it appears the wait is over: "we went to london for a fews days to finish up. we worked in molko 9 back in ~Bristol now working on some art work and getting the live stuff together. i think one more day messing about with it and it will be done." Check out some classic Portishead after the jump.
Continue reading "Portishead Readies First Disc in Ten Years" »
It's official - The surviving members of Led Zeppelin (Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones) today confirmed plans for a one-off reunion gig at London's 02 Arena via a press conference at the venue. The performance will be part of a tribute to Atlantic Records co-founder and chairman emeritus Ahmet Ertegun, who died last December.
This will mark the 4th time the Zeppelin name has been revived since the band's demise, beginning in 1985 at Live Aid and followed by a 1988 gig to mark Atlantic Records 40th anniversary and a 1995 performance at the band's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. Page and Plant also teamed in 1994 for an MTV special which spawned a world tour and two albums.
The drummer for the evening will once again be Jason Bonham, son of the band's original drummer John Bonham.
The concert will follow the release of a new Atlantic/Rhino two-disc, 24-track best-of set, "Mothership," due Nov. 13 in the United States.
OK - let's not get too excited yet, but that Van Halen reunion might be taking a back seat this fall, at least for one night. Rumor has it that the surviving members of Led Zeppelin might be coming back In Through the Out Door for a November 26 date at the 02 Arena in London.
This is complete speculation so far kids, but two sources are reporting that band currently has a "hold" on the venue, which prevents other acts from filling the spot until a gig decision is made. The show would mark just the 4th time that Page, Plant and Jones have gotten the Led out since 1980.
UPDATE: NME is now reporting a "confirmation" of all this madness, with the source claiming to have heard the words straight from Robert Plant himself. Stay tuned...
In the wake of this weekend's semi-reunion, talk of a possible Guns curtain call have swelled. Steven Adler in particular has expressed his hope for another go-around, but speaking to Billboard.com he left the final call up to the group's long-estranged front man:
"I believe I made it this far for some reason," Adler tells Billboard.com. "I want to finish what we started, and ... with the love and support I got from those guys, I think we can (reunite). I'm gonna leave it up to Axl [Rose]."
Nice to hear, but is this really any different than it's been for the last, I don't know, decade? Except for Slash, I think most of GNR would jump at the chance to ride that gravy train one more time, Axl's prima donna antics not withstanding. But as always, this is all going to hinge on the public reaction to Chinese Democracy. But if there was ever a time to capitalize on the Guns' legacy, it's now.
Though it's been widely reported for months that the newly-reformed Smashing Pumpkins would feature a different lineup from its 1990s heyday, last night's performance at the Paris Grand Rex made it official. Smashing Pumpkins 2007 is: Billy Corgan as band overlord, Jimmy Chamberlin on drums, Ginger Reyes on bass and Lisa Harriton on keyboards.
As for the show, the band mixed it up with new stuff and old favorites, while Corgan got predictably preachy about the "return" of his legendary moniker:
"We are The Smashing Pumpkins, you should be very afraid...but not of The Smashing Pumpkins. The Smashing Pumpkins are your friends. If you need a shoulder to cry on or a helping hand or even some euros to pay the rent...The Smashing Pumpkins."
We're totally gonna call his bluff, and as for some scratch to pay off our gambling debts, when the band hits NYC. But first we'll have to get tickets, which based on recent reports, ain't gonna be easy.
Before ya'll get too excited, let us shed one final tear for James Iha, Pumpkin no more.
Paris Grand Rex setlist:
'United States'
'Today'
'Stand Inside Your Love'
'Bleeding The Orchid'
'Doomsday Clock'
'Home'
'Hummer'
'Starz'
'Tarantula'
'Bullet With Butterfly Wings'
'Gossamer'
'For God And Country'
'Thirty-Three'
'Rocket'
'Winterlong'
'To Sheila'
'Glass & The Ghost Children'
'Cherub Rock'
'1979'
'Tonight, Tonight'
'Neverlost'
'That's The Way (My Love Is)'
'Disarm'
'Zero'
'Untitled'
'Shame'
'Silverfuck/The End'
'Annie-Dog'
'Muzzle'
The Kooks at Terminal 5
(via Citizen Image)
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