Sunday, June 09, 2002
Wilco’s summer tour to hit the Midwest, West Coast
Chicago rock band Wilco, which is supporting its recent release “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot,” has lined up a round of Midwestern U.S. tour dates that gets underway in July.
Chicago rock band Wilco, which is supporting its recent release “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot,” has lined up a round of Midwestern U.S. tour dates that gets underway in July.
After the 10-date Midwest run, the band plans to tour the West Coast, according to Wilco’s official website.
Wilco bought back the rights to “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot” after its former label, Reprise, rejected the album. Frontman Jeff Tweedy and his band had little trouble finding a new home at Nonesuch Records, and a number of critics have touted the release as one of the year’s best-to-date. The album debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard 200 chart in May.
“I am Trying to Break Your Heart,” a documentary film by Sam Jones about Wilco and the making of “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot,” has been scheduled for theatrical release on July 26 in New York, and will open a week later in Chicago and Los Angeles. A DVD release of the film is expected this fall.
Read SoundSpike’s recent interview with Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy.
Thursday, June 06, 2002
Godsmack drummer Tommy Stewart exits
As the group begins work on its third album, Boston rock act Godsmack has parted ways with longtime drummer Tommy Stewart, the band announced in a statement issued on Thursday (6/7).
As the group begins work on its third album, Boston rock act Godsmack has parted ways with longtime drummer Tommy Stewart, the band announced in a statement issued on Thursday (6/7).
According to the statement, the split was mutual, and Stewart will pursue other musical opportunities. No replacement has been announced.
“Tommy is a great guy and a tremendous drummer,” frontman Sully Erna said. “We wish him all the success in the world...he deserves it.”
The band is writing songs for a new album that is tentatively scheduled for release in early 2003. Godsmack’s self-titled 1998 debut has sold more than 4 million copies, and its follow-up, 2000’s “Awake,” has sold more than 2 million copies, according to the Recording Industry Association of America.
Godsmack latest hit, “I Stand Alone,” is the first single from “The Scorpion King” soundtrack.
R. Kelly booked by Chicago Police, posts bond
R&B singer R. Kelly, who was indicted earlier this week on child pornography charges, surrendered to Chicago Police on Friday morning (6/7).
R&B singer R. Kelly, who was indicted earlier this week on child pornography charges, surrendered to Chicago Police on Friday morning (6/7).
After he was processed at a police station, Kelly posted a $75,000 bail-bond and was released, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
The singer, best known for his Grammy-winning hit “I Believe I Can Fly,” was arrested in his Orlando-area vacation rental by Florida police on Thursday (6/6) after a nationwide warrant was issued by police in Chicago. He was released after posting a $750,000 bond, on the condition that he go to Chicago to turn himself in.
Kelly, whose first name is Robert, is accused of videotaping himself engaged in sexual acts with a 14-year-old girl.
A grand-jury investigation into allegations that Kelly had sex with underage girls resulted in the filing of the 21-count indictment against him on Wednesday (6/5). The indictment cites experts who found that the videotape--which reportedly was sent anonymously to the Chicago Sun-Times in February and turned over to police--was authentic, and that the people depicted on it were, in fact, Kelly and the underage girl.
If convicted, Kelly could face 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
Kelly has repeatedly proclaimed that he is innocent of the charges, and continued to do so in a statement issued after the indictment.
“Even though I don’t believe any of these charges are warranted, I’m grateful that I will have a chance to establish the truth about me in a court of law,” he said. “I have complete faith in our system of justice, and I am confident that when all the facts come out, people will see that I’m no criminal.”
Three lawsuits have been filed against Kelly alleging that he had sex with underage girls. His attorneys recently announced that two of the cases were settled out of court, and that they would fight a third.
According to press reports, Chicago police three years ago began to check out allegations that Kelly was having sex with a 14-year-old girl. Though several witnesses claim that the girl is the person depicted on the videotape, both the girl and her parents denied it.
Coal Chamber hits the road with American Head Charge, Flaw
Metal band Coal Chamber is gearing up for a tour to promote its new album, “Dark Days,” with fellow rockers American Head Charge, Flaw and Medication in the opening slots.
Metal band Coal Chamber is gearing up for a tour to promote its new album, “Dark Days,” with fellow rockers American Head Charge, Flaw and Medication in the opening slots.
Released on May 7, “Dark Days,” features the single “Fiend,” which hit No. 1 on the Album Network’s Aggro Chart and R&R’s Metal Chart. During its first week out, “Dark Days” sold more than 31,000 copies and debuted at No. 34 on the Billboard 200 album chart.
American Head Charge, who, earlier this year, parted ways with guitarist Wayne Kile, released its debut, “War of Art,” last year.
Louisville, Ky.-based Flaw released its major-label debut, “Through the Eyes,” last October. David Bottrill (Tool, Peter Gabriel) produced the album.
Fronted by ex-Ugly Kid Joe singer Whitfield Crane, Medication releases its debut full-length, “Prince Valium,” on June 18.
In Brief: AIDS claims former Ratt guitarist Robbin Crosby
Paul McCartney to wed next week? Garbage tour rolls sans Butch Vig. Elton John, Sting, B.B. King to appear at diabetes fundraiser. Natalie Imbruglia pitches make-up.
Paul McCartney to wed next week? Garbage tour rolls sans Butch Vig. Elton John, Sting, B.B. King to appear at diabetes fundraiser. Natalie Imbruglia pitches make-up.
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Former Ratt guitarist Robbin Crosby died on Thursday (6/6) of complications related to AIDS. He was 41. Last year, Crosby went public with news that he had been battling the disease for seven years.
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The owner of Castle Leslie in Glaslough, Ireland, told reporters this week that Paul McCartney and former model Heather Mills will be married at the castle next week. He wouldn’t reveal when the wedding would take place, but three tents reportedly have been erected on the castle grounds, and food and lighting equipment has been arriving all week.
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Garbage drummer Butch Vig is suffering from “an acute inner ear infection causing painful sensitivity to sound,” according to the band’s official website. Ex-Smashing Pumpkins drummer Matt Chamberlain will fill in on the road until he recovers.
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Elton John, Sting and B.B. King will perform during the 15th annual Carousel of Hope benefit, set to take place on Oct. 15 in Beverly Hills, Calif. The event raises money for the Denver-based Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes.
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Australian pop-singer Natalie Imbruglia has signed on as a spokesperson for L’Oreal cosmetics. Her first commercial debuts this month.
New James Taylor album due in August
James Taylor will release “October Road,” his first album of new material in five years, on Aug. 13, according to Columbia Records.
James Taylor will release “October Road,” his first album of new material in five years, on Aug. 13, according to Columbia Records.
A track from the album, titled “On the 4th of July,” is being previewed via AOL’s “First Listen” program (AOL keyword: First Listen) and on music.netscape.com. Taylor debuted the song during his 2001 tour. During the preview, fans can enter to win front-row seats for an upcoming Taylor concert.
Taylor is expected to embark on a tour in November, but details haven’t been announced.
At this year’s Annual Grammy Awards ceremony, Taylor won Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight,” a track from Michael Brecker’s “Nearness Of You” album.
Taylor’s previous studio album was 1997’s “Hourglass,” which won a Grammy in the Best Pop Vocal Album category.
Wednesday, June 05, 2002
Ramones co-founder Dee Dee Ramone found dead
Dee Dee Ramone, founding bassist of the punk band the Ramones, was found dead in his Los Angeles home on Wednesday night (6/5) of an apparent drug overdose. He was 50.
Dee Dee Ramone, founding bassist of the punk band the Ramones, was found dead in his Los Angeles home on Wednesday night (6/5) of an apparent drug overdose. He was 50.
Paramedics told the Associated Press that Ramone’s wife found him dead on the couch when she returned home at about 8:30 p.m., and that drug paraphernalia--including a syringe--was found in the house. Ramone had struggled with a heroin addiction for much of his life.
Born Douglas Glenn Colvin, Ramone was a key songwriter in the influential New York punk band, which was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame less than three months ago. He and the other members of the band took on the last name Ramone after the group formed in 1974. The Ramones released their self-titled debut in 1976.
Ramone left the band after the release of 1989’s “Brain Drain.” He continued to write songs for the group, however, including six tracks on the band’s 1995 album “Adios Amigos.” He also worked as a producer and released two solo rock albums. In 1988, he dubbed himself Dee Dee King and recorded a little-noticed rap album titled “Standing in the Spotlight.”
In the 90s, Ramone penned his autobiography, “Lobotomy: Surviving the Ramones,” which chronicles his lengthy struggles with drug abuse and his quarrels with the late Ramones frontman Joey Ramone. (Joey Ramone died of cancer in April of 2001).
Last year, Dee Dee Ramone released his first novel, “Chelsea Horror Hotel,” which is a fictional account of life with his wife and their dog in the infamous hotel where Sid Vicious stabbed Nancy Spungen.
Ramone, who was active on the Southern California club circuit, had been scheduled to play several West Coast club dates this month.
Third Eye Blind, Goo Goo Dolls pair up for late-summer shed tour
Fellow pop-rockers Third Eye Blind and Goo Goo Dolls co-headline a two-month tour of the U.S. amphitheater circuit, with newcomer Vanessa Carlton in the opening slot.
Fellow pop-rockers Third Eye Blind and Goo Goo Dolls co-headline a two-month tour of the U.S. amphitheater circuit, with newcomer Vanessa Carlton in the opening slot.
The outing stretches from late July through mid-September.
Third Eye Blind’s third album, “Crystal Baller,” will be released later this summer, according to Elektra Records, but a specific release date hasn’t been announced. The band recorded most of the album at their new Mourningwood studio in San Francisco, and additional work was done at George Lucas’ Skywalker Sound in Marin County, Calif.
Goo Goo Dolls are touring behind “Gutterflower,” which was released in April and is the band’s first album of new material in more than four years. It is the follow-up to “Dizzy Up the Girl,” which has sold nearly six million copies to date, according to Warner Bros.
Pianist-singer Carlton released her debut album, “Be Not Nobody,” in April. It debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart on the strength of the single “A Thousand Miles.”
Bonnie Raitt and Lyle Lovett plot summer amphitheater dates
Bonnie Raitt and Lyle Lovett team for a late-summer tour that focuses on outdoor venues in the eastern U.S.
Bonnie Raitt and Lyle Lovett team for a late-summer tour that focuses on outdoor venues in the eastern U.S.
Raitt is touring in support of her latest album, “Silver Lining.” The album’s first single, “I Can’t Help You Now,” was co-written by Tommy Sims, Gordon Kennedy and Wayne Kirkpatrick, who wrote the ballad “Change the World” for Eric Clapton.
Several of Raitt’s older works have been remastered, including “Road Tested,” a 1995 live video that has been reconfigured as a DVD. Also, Raitt’s original label, Warner Bros., has remastered and re-released her first nine albums.
Singer-songwriter Lovett, who recently starred in the movie “The New Guy,” is pushing “Anthology Volume I: Cowboy Man,” which was released in 2001. In March, Lovett’s right shin bone was crushed when he was trampled by a bull on his farm near Houston.
Ticket Window: Eminem, Rolling Stones, Creed
This week’s major new on-sales also include tickets for Aerosmith, Cher, Eagles, Korn, Neil Diamond, Santana and Tool.
This week’s major new on-sales also include tickets for Aerosmith, Cher, Eagles, Korn, Neil Diamond, Santana and Tool.
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Aerosmith
Read about the tour
- Holmdel, N.J. (8/13), tickets on sale 6/7 at 9 a.m. ET
- Wantagh, N.Y. (8/28), on sale 6/7 at 9 a.m. ET
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Anger Management Tour (with Eminem and Papa Roach)
Read about the tour
- Scranton, Pa. (7/20), tickets on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. ET
- East Rutherford, N.J. (7/22), on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. ET
- Wantagh, N.Y. (7/26), on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. ET
- Mansfield, Mass. (7/27), on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. ET
- Noblesville, Ind. (7/31), on sale 6/7 at 5 p.m. ET
- Rosemont, Ill. (8/1), on sale 6/8 at 11 a.m. CT
- Portland, Ore. (8/8), on sale 6/7 at 4 p.m. PT
- Marysville, Calif. (8/10), on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. PT
- Mountain View, Calif. (8/11), on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. PT
- Fresno, Calif. (8/12), on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. PT
- San Diego (8/15), on sale 6/8 at noon PT
- Albuquerque, N.M. (8/21), on sale 6/8 at 11 a.m. MT
- Englewood, Colo. (8/22), on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. MT
- Maryland Heights, Mo. (8/24), on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. CT
- Bonner Springs, Kan. (8/25), on sale 6/7 at 5 p.m. CT
- Tampa, Fla. (8/31), on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. ET
- Sunrise, Fla. (9/1), on sale 6/7 at 5 p.m. ET
- Atlanta, Ga. (9/4), on sale 6/7 at 10 a.m. ET
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Cher
Read about the tour
- Oakland, Calif. (8/3), tickets on sale 6/9 at 10 a.m. PT
- San Jose, Calif. (8/4), on sale 6/9 at 10 a.m. PT
- Las Vegas (8/9-10), tickets on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. PT
- Phoenix (8/12), on sale 8/12 at 10 a.m. PT
- Denver (8/15), on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. MT
- New Orleans (8/18), on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. CT
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Creed
Read about the tour
- Virginia Beach, Va. (7/11), tickets on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. ET
- Raleigh, N.C. (7/13), on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. ET
- Charlotte, N.C. (7/15), on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. ET
- Columbus, Ohio (7/17), on sale 6/8 at noon ET
- Cleveland, Ohio (7/21), on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. ET
- Boston (7/25), on sale 6/8 at noon ET
- Darien Center, N.Y. (7/31), on sale 6/8 at noon ET
- Camden, N.J. (8/2-3), on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. ET
- East Troy, Wis. (8/10), on sale 6/8 at noon CT
- Hershey, Pa. (8/24), on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. ET
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Eagles
Read about the tour
- Biloxi, Miss. (7/19), tickets on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. ET
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Korn
Read about the tour
- Roanoke, Va. (7/17), tickets on sale 6/8 at 10 am. ET
- Greenville, N.C. (7/18), on sale 6/7 at 10 a.m. ET
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Neil Diamond
Read about the tour
- Worcester, Mass. (9/14), tickets on sale 6/10 at 10 a.m. ET
- Toronto (9/27), tickets on sale 6/10 at 10 a.m.
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Rolling Stones
Read about the tour
- Sunrise, Fla. (10/22), tickets on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. ET
- Miami, Fla. (10/23), on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. ET
- Atlanta (10/26), on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. ET
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Santana
Read about the tour
- Columbia, Md. (8/2), tickets on sale at 6/8 at 10 a.m. ET
- Camden, N.J. (8/4), on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. ET
- Mansfield, Mass. (8/6), on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. ET
- Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (8/11), on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. ET
- Clarkston, Mich. (8/19), on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. ET
- Grand Rapids, Mich. (8/21), on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. ET
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Tool
Read about the tour
- Tucson, Ariz. (7/18), tickets on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. PT
- Fort Worth, Texas (7/23), on sale 6/7 at 4 p.m. CT
- Houston (7/27), on sale 6/7 at 5 p.m. CT
- Baton Rouge, La. (7/29), on sale 6/8 at 10 a.m. CT
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All ticket on-sale times and concert dates are subject to change without notice. Confirm with your local venue and/or ticket seller.
SoundSpike’s Ticket Window feature is updated each Thursday evening.