Monday, September 30, 2002
Tom Petty backs ‘The Last DJ’ with tour dates, simulcast
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers return to the road in late October to back “The Last DJ,” an album that’s due in stores on Oct. 8.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers return to the road in late October to back “The Last DJ,” an album that’s due in stores on Oct. 8.
Prior to the tour, Petty and his band will perform the new album in its entirety at an Oct. 15 concert at Grand Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles. The show will videotaped and transmitted live via satellite to 38 movie theaters in the U.S. and Canada.
Most tickets for the movie-theater simulcasts will be given away through radio stations in each city, though a limited number of tickets will be sold. More details are available at Petty’s official website.
The tour opens on Oct. 27 in Santa Barbara, Calif., and is scheduled to run through mid-December. Jackson Browne, who also opened on Petty’s summer tour, will support.
Filter frontman checks into rehab, cancels tour
Just one day before the group’s scheduled kick-off of the Miller Beer Rellim Tour, Filter has canceled all of its 2002 touring plans.
Just one day before the group’s scheduled kick-off of the Miller Beer Rellim Tour, Filter has canceled all of its 2002 touring plans.
The group’s publicist announced the abrupt cancellation on Tuesday (10/1) afternoon via a press release, in which he said that lead singer Richard Patrick had checked himself into a rehabilitation facility during this past weekend.
“I want to apologize to all my friends and fans for having to cancel these upcoming shows,” Patrick said in a prepared statement, “but right now I’m concerned about my health and want to get back into the best physical and mental condition to go back on the road next year.”
The group did not reveal any specific details about Patrick’s affliction.
There are no current plans to reschedule the canceled dates, but the group hopes to resume touring in early 2003.
Ticketholders can obtain refunds at the point of purchase, according to the group’s publicist.
Sunday, September 29, 2002
John Mayer, “Inside Wants Out” (Mayer Music/Columbia)
On this reissue of his 1999 solo-debut, Mayer proves that less really can be more.
On this reissue of his 1999 solo-debut, Mayer proves that less really can be more.
Among the album’s eight tracks are acoustic versions of “My Stupid Mouth,” “Neon” and “No Such Thing,” all three of which are featured on Mayer’s 2001 major-label debut, “Room for Squares.” Backed by a full band on those more-recent, electric versions, Mayer’s impressive vocals and lyrical insights are tucked into a larger mix. Stripped down and paired solely with an acoustic guitar, the richness of his vocal delivery and poignancy of his lyrics have an even stronger emotional impact.
The album also includes several tracks not found on “Room for Squares,” one of which--"Comfortable"--is among the most heart-wrenching break-up songs of all time, and all of which demonstrate this 24-year-old’s remarkable talents, particularly his ability to play and sing with a wisdom and a level of emotional intensity that belies his young age.
Street Date Oct. 1: ‘American Idol,’ The Rolling Stones
Also: LeAnn Rimes, Negativland, Elvis Costello, Wynton Marsalis.
Also: LeAnn Rimes, Negativland, Elvis Costello, Wynton Marsalis.
_________________________
Various artists - “American Idol: Greatest Moments” (RCA)
Reality television continues to worm its way deeper into American culture, this time in the form of a compilation album that features songs sung by finalists from the “American Idol” talent-search program. Included is show-winner Kelly Clarkson’s “A Moment Like This,” the single for which sits at the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 chart after recently selling 263,000 copies in one week. Clarkson and the show’s other finalists kick off a tour on Oct. 8.
_________________________
The Rolling Stones - “Forty Licks” (Virgin)
While the legendary British rockers tour the globe yet again, Virgin releases this two-disc compilation that features 36 classic Stones hits and four new tracks. Among the new tunes is the collection’s first single, “Don’t Stop.” The group’s official website features the album’s complete--and impressive--track list, as well as streaming clips of all 40 tracks.
_________________________
LeAnn Rimes - “Twisted Angel” (Curb)
The young--yet veteran--country star co-wrote four songs on this collection. According to Curb records, the album includes “anthemic arena-rockers (the autobiographical first single ‘Life Goes On’ and ‘Suddenly’
, insightful songs full of hope and optimism (’Sign of Life’ and ‘You Made Me Find Myself’, R&B/funk (’Trouble With Goodbye’, swamp-blues (’Twisted Angel’ and even seductive, dance-floor techno (’Tic Toc’.”
________________________
Negativland - “Deathsentences of the Polished and Structurally Weak” (Seeland)
The latest package from these California noise purveyors includes a 64-page, full-color book and a 45-minute CD soundtrack. That book features notes, shopping lists, letters and other writings that supposedly were found inside wrecked cars at junkyards. The CD includes Negativland’s trademark mix of found sounds and electronic gurgles. More details are available on Negativland’s official website.
_________________________
Elvis Costello - “Cruel Smile” (Island)
According to Costello’s official website, this collection features b-sides, rare recordings and live versions of tracks from his recent album “When I Was Cruel.” The CD includes several previously unreleased tracks as well as some tracks that were previously issued overseas, but never before released in the U.S.
_________________________
Wynton Marsalis - “All Rise” (Sony Classical)
Perhaps Marsalis’ most-ambitious work to date, “All Rise” is a two-disc, 12-movement, jazz-orchestral piece. The performance features over 200 performers, including Maralis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, along with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, The Paul Smith Singers, California State University of Northridge’s Northridge Singers and the Morgan State University Choir. Recorded just days after the Sept. 11 attacks, the group’s work “blends the sounds of jazz, blues, classical and indigenous music from around the world to represent humanity’s enduring ascendance over time,” according to a press release.
_________________________
Other new releases:
3rd Storee - “Get with Me” (Def Jam)
Diane Arkenstone - “Jewel in the Sun” (Paras)
The Blow - “Bonus Album” (K)
Blue States - “Man Mountain” (ESL)
Cassius - “Au Reve” (Astralwerks)
Cex - “Tall, Dark and Handcuffed” (Tigerbeat6)
Carla Cook - “Simply Natural” (MaxxJazz)
D+ - “Mistake” (K)
Digger - “Keystone” (Hopeless)
DJ Vadim - “USSR: The Art of Listening” (Ninja Tune)
Julie Doiron and the Wooden Stars - “Julie Doiron and the Wooden Stars” (Jagjaguwar)
Downthesun - “Downthesun” (Roadrunner)
Dennis Driscoll - “Voices in the Fog” (K)
Dzihan & Kamien - “Gran Riserva” (Six Degrees)
Elf Power - “Nothing’s Going to Happen” (Orange Twin)
Flaming Stars - “Sunset & Void” (Alternative Tentacles)
Floetry - “Floetic” (DreamWorks)
Good - “Young and the Hopeless”
Good Charlotte - “The Young & the Hopeless” (Epic)
Charlie Haden & Michael Brecker - “American Dreams” (Verve)
Half-Handed Cloud - “We Haven’t Just Been Told, We Have Been Loved” (Sounds Familyre)
Harv - “Tost” (Northside)
Heroine Sheiks - “Siamese Pipe” (Rubric)
Homunculus - “Words” (Howling)
Honeyrider - “Sunshine Skyway” (Orange Sky)
Ellis Hooks - “Undeniable” (Zane)
The Instruments - “Billions of Phonographs” (Orange Twin)
Isyss - “The Way We Do” (Arista)
Mark Knopfler - “The Ragpicker’s Dream” (Warner Bros.)
Diana Krall - “Live in Paris” (Verve)
Ellen Kushner & the Shirim Orchestra - “The Golden Dreydl: A Klezmer Nutcracker for Chanukah” (Rykodisc)
Lanterna - “Sands” (Badman)
Matthias Lupri - “Same Time Twice” (Summit)
Keiko Matsui - “The Ring” (Narada Jazz)
Miguel Migs - “Colorful You” (Astralwerks)
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - “Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Vol. III” (Capitol Nashville)
Don Nix - “Going Down” (Evidence)
Fred Numf - “Universal Language 2” (Black Hole)
Oneida - “Each One, Teach One” (Jagjaguwar)
Osunlade - “Presents ... Offering” (R2)
Pork Tornado - “Pork Tornado” (Rykodisc)
The Pulses - “The Pulses” (Dirtnap)
Chuck Pyle - “Affected by the Moon” (Bee ‘n’ Flowers)
Bill Ricchini - “Ordinary Time” (Megaforce)
Kim Richey - “Rise” (Lost Highway)
Bob Rivers - “White Trash Christmas” (Atlantic)
Christophe Schweizer - “Physique” (OmniTone)
Shearwater - “Everybody Makes Mistakes” (Misra)
Sissel - “Sissel” (Decca)
The Snakes - “The Snakes” (Committee to Keep Music Evil)
Sound Effects - “Sounds of Horror” (Nesak International)
Squarepusher - “Do You Know Squarepusher?” (Warp)
Stavesacre - “Stavesacre” (Nitro)
Stroke 9 - “Rip It Off” (Universal)
Superbees - “High Volume” (Acetate)
Thievery Corporation - “The Richest Man in Babylon” (ESL)
Jenny Toomey - “Tempting” (Misra)
Russell Watson - “Encore” (Decca)
Xzibit - “Man Vs. Machine” (Loud)
Various artists - “The Rebirth of the Heavy” (Music Cartel)
Soundtracks and scores:
“Ballistic: Ecks Vs. Sever” (Varese)
“Naqoyqatsi" (Sony Classical)
“The Tuxedo” (Varese)
John Mellencamp unveils November arena dates
John Mellencamp, who recently wrapped up an extensive summer concert run with his annual Farm Aid appearance, has lined up a November tour of the Midwestern arena circuit.
John Mellencamp, who recently wrapped up an extensive summer concert run with his annual Farm Aid appearance, has lined up a November tour of the Midwestern arena circuit.
The singer-songwriter is also scheduled to perform at two benefit shows in memory of Timothy White, the Billboard magazine editor who died of a heart attack in June. The shows are set for Oct. 7 at Boston’s FleetCenter (Sheryl Crow, Don Henley, Sting, James Taylor and Billy Joel are also on the bill) and Oct. 8 at New York’s Madison Square Garden (with Crow, Henley, Sting, Jimmy Buffett and Brian Wilson). Proceeds will benefit White’s widow, Judy, and twin 10-year-old sons.
Mellencamp continues to support his October 2001 release, “Cuttin’ Heads,” which has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipping more than 500,000 copies in the U.S.
The Indiana native’s 2001 tour grossed $13.2 million and ranked at No. 29 on Pollstar’s year-end list.
Mellencamp was nominated for a Grammy in this year’s Best Male Vocal Performance category, for the “Cuttin’ Heads” single “Peaceful World,” but was beat out by Lenny Kravitz.
Thursday, September 26, 2002
Top ‘American Idol’ finalists reunite for tour
Winner Kelly Clarkston and the other top-10 finalists from the recent Fox-TV series “American Idol” are set to open a tour of U.S. theaters and arenas in October.
Winner Kelly Clarkston and the other top-10 finalists from the recent Fox-TV series “American Idol” are set to open a tour of U.S. theaters and arenas in October.
Joining Clarkson for the tour are runners-up Justan Guarini, Nikki McKibbin, Tamayra Gray, RJ Helton, Christina Christian, Ryan Starr, A.J. Gil, E Jay Day and Jim Verraros.
Clarkson’s double-sided single “A Moment Like This"/"Before Your Love” sold 236,000 copies during its first week in stores to top this week’s Billboard Hot 100 chart. According to Billboard, it is the first single to sell more than 200,000 copies since 1999.
The 20-year-old singer won a recording contract after she was named the winner of “American Idol,” a talent-search program that was one of the summer’s top-rated shows.
“American Idol“‘s 30 finalists reunited for a Sept. 18 show at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas. Fox taped the event and aired it on Sept. 23.
RCA Records will release “American Idol: Greatest Moments” on Oct. 1. The album will feature four songs performed by Clarkson, two by Guarini and one song each by the remainder of the top 10 finalists.
Wednesday, September 25, 2002
Ticket Window: Peter Gabriel, Guns N’ Roses
This week’s major new on-sales include Cher, Incubus, Neil Diamond, Tool and Tori Amos.
This week’s major new on-sales include Cher, Incubus, Neil Diamond, Tool and Tori Amos.
_________________________
Cher
Read about the tour.
- Miami (11/8, American Airlines Arena), on sale 9/28 at 10 a.m.
- Boosier City, La. (11/16, CenturyTel Center), on sale 9/28 at 10 a.m.
- Houston (11/17, Compaq Center), on sale 9/28 at 10 a.m.
- Laredo, Texas (11/23, Entertainment Center), on sale 9/27 at 10 a.m.
_________________________
Guns N’ Roses
Read about the tour.
- Rosemont, Ill. (11/18, Allstate Arena), on sale 9/27 at noon
- New York (12/5, Madison Square Garden), on sale 9/27 at 9 a.m.
- Philadelphia (12/6, First Union Center), on sale 9/28 at noon
_________________________
Incubus
Read about the tour.
- Irvine, Calif. (10/31, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater), on sale 9/28 at noon
_________________________
Neil Diamond
Read about the tour.
- Albuquerque, N.M. (12/5, Tingley Coliseum), on sale 9/30 at 10 a.m.
- Las Cruces, N.M. (12/6, Pan American Center), on sale 9/30 at 10 a.m.
- Fresno, Calif. (12/8, Selland Arena), on sale 9/30 at 10 a.m.
- Ames, IA (12/19, Hilton Coliseum), on sale 9/30 at 10 a.m.
- Kansas City, Mo. (12/20, Kemper Arena), on sale 9/30 at 10 a.m.
- San Antonio, Texas (12/22, SBC Center), on sale 9/30 at 10 a.m.
- Las Vegas (12/27, MGM Grand), on sale 9/30 at 10 a.m.
- Phoenix (12/29, America West Arena), on sale 9/30 at 10 a.m.
- Denver (12/31, Pepsi Center), on sale 9/30 at 10 a.m.
_________________________
Peter Gabriel
Read about the tour.
- Cleveland (11/7, Gund Arena), on sale 9/28 at 10 a.m.
- Washington, D.C. (11/11, MCI Center), on sale 9/28 at 10 a.m.
- Chicago (11/13, United Center), on sale 9/28 at 10 a.m.
- East Rutherford, N.J. (11/17, Continental Arena), on sale 9/30 at 9 a.m.
- Philadelphia (11/18, First Union Center), on sale 9/28 at 10 a.m.
- New York (11/21, Madison Square Garden), on sale 9/30 at 9 a.m.
- Boston (11/25, FleetCenter), on sale 9/28 at 10 a.m.
- Toronto (12/2, Air Canada Centre), on sale 9/28 at 10 a.m.
_________________________
Tool
Read about the tour.
- Winston-Salem, N.C. (11/2, LJVM Coliseum), on sale 9/28 at 10 a.m.
- Baton Rouge, La. (11/8, Riverside Centroplex), on sale 9/28 at 10 a.m.
- Biloxi, Miss. (11/9, Mississippi Coast Coliseum), on sale 9/28 at 10 a.m.
- Phoenix (11/19, America West Arena), on sale 9/28 at 10 a.m.
- San Diego (11/21, Cox Arena), on sale 9/28 at 10 a.m.
_________________________
Tori Amos
Read about the tour.
- Tampa, Fla. (11/7, Morsani Hall), on sale 9/28 at 10 a.m.
- Melbourne, Fla. (11/9, King Center), on sale 9/27 at 10 a.m.
- Atlanta (11/10, Civic Center), on sale 9/27 at 10 a.m.
- Farfax, Va. (11/12, Patriot Center), on sale 9/27 at 5 p.m.
- Providence, R.I. (11/17, Performing Arts Center), on sale 9/28 at 10 a.m.
- Lowell, Mass. (11/19, Tsongas Arena), on sale 9/27 at 10 a.m.
- Auburn Hills, Mich. (11/24, Palace), on sale 9/27 at 10 a.m.
- Milwaukee, Wis. (12/1, Riverside Theatre), on sale 9/27 at noon
- Denver (12/5, Magness Arena), on sale 9/28 at 10 a.m.
_________________________
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.
Guns N’ Roses roll out tour dates as fans wait for album
Though the group still has not set a release date for its long-awaited new album, Guns N’ Roses sets out on a headlining arena run this fall.
Though the group still has not set a release date for its long-awaited new album, Guns N’ Roses sets out on a headlining arena run this fall.
Led by sole original member Axl Rose, Guns N’ Roses kick off the North American jaunt in early November, and will tour through the end of the year. The band plans to play classics, as well as new material that will be featured on the forthcoming album “Chinese Democracy.”
The tour is the band’s first since 1993, and the album--whenever it surfaces--will mark the first new GN’R set since 1991’s two-volume “Use Your Illusion.”
In addition to Rose, the group’s current lineup features keyboard players Dizzy Reed--who has been in GN’R since 1991--and Chris Pitman; guitarists Robin Finck (Nine Inch Nails), Buckethead, and Richard Fortus; bassist Tommy Stinson (The Replacements); and drummer Brian “Brain” Mantia (Primus).
The group recently gave a surprise performance at the MTV Video Music Awards.
In a recent interview posted at the official GN’R website, Rose said that the fall outing is just the beginning of the band’s touring plans.
“[It’s] a warm up for the Spring tour,” said Rose. “This thing is starting now and much like Use Your Illusions that went for two and a half years, this thing is going to go off and on for the next two or three years and we’ll see how it goes.”
Last year, the group twice canceled a planned European tour. The first cancellation was due to a band-member’s illness, while the group cited plans to instead finish work on “Chinese Democracy” as the reason for the second cancellation.
Rose has spent much of the past six years working on “Chinese Democracy.” Though he claims in the aforementioned interview that the group is putting the finishing touches on the long-awaited release, he simultaneously--and scatologically--cautions fans not to “hold their breath” waiting for it to surface.
“We’ve sorted it down to what songs are on the record,” he said. “What the sequence of the songs is. The album cover art is ready. Blah, blah, blah. If you’re waiting...don’t. Live your life. That’s your responsibility not mine. If it were not to happen you won’t have missed a thing. If in fact it does you might get something that works for you, in the end you could win on this either way. But if you’re really into waiting try holding your breath for Jesus cause I hear the payoff may be that much greater.”
The album will be Rose’s first since parting with founding GN’R members Slash (guitar) and Duff McKagan (bass), as well as longtime member Matt Sorum (drums), with all of whom the singer had a major falling-out.
“Slash has lied about nearly everything and anything to nearly everyone and anyone,” Rose said. “It’s who he is. It’s what he does. Duff’s support for the man though understandable in one sense in regard to his circumstances, is inexcusable, and furthers my distance from the two of them. For me Matt doesn’t figure into the equation and for as much as I was a friend to him he was incapable of reciprocating and life is much better without such an obvious albatross.”
Rose, Slash, McKagan, original drummer Steven Adler and original rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin’ released GN’R’s hugely successful debut, “Appetite for Destruction,” in 1987. “Use Your Illusion” followed in 1991. The group has sold more than 80-million albums worldwide, according to a press release.
Tuesday, September 24, 2002
Shakira lays out plans for 50-city world tour
Colombia-born pop-star Shakira, who broke through to North American audiences in 2001 with her No. 1 hit “Whenever Wherever,” embarks on her first world tour in November.
Colombia-born pop-star Shakira, who broke through to North American audiences in 2001 with her No. 1 hit “Whenever Wherever,” embarks on her first world tour in November.
According to promoter Clear Channel Entertainment, the singer-songwriter will visit 30 North American cities through February, with a European stopover in December. The tour--dubbed Tour of the Mongoose--is expected to visit about 50 cities worldwide through 2003.
“Laundry Service,” Shakira’s Grammy-winning English-language debut, has sold more than 9 million copies worldwide, according to her label.
Shakira signed her first recording contract with Sony Music Columbia when she was 13 years old. Before the release of “Laundry Service, she was a well-established star throughout Latin America, Brazil and Spain.
Album Chart: Disturbed takes over top slot
The Dixie Chicks’ three-week stand at No. 1 comes to an end as Disturbed’s sophomore release tops the forthcoming Billboard 200 album chart.
The Dixie Chicks’ three-week stand at No. 1 comes to an end as Disturbed’s sophomore release tops the forthcoming Billboard 200 album chart.
“Believe"--the follow-up to Disturbed’s 2000 debut, “The Sickness"--sold about 283,000 copies during its first week in stores, according to industry sources. The album’s first single, “Prayer,” helped drive sales, though the track’s music video went largely unseen after the group refused mainstream video outlets’ requests to produce an edited version of the original footage.
Disturbed’s chart-topping debut bumps the Dixie Chicks’ “Home” and Avril Lavigne’s “Let Go” down one notch each to Nos. 2 and 3, respectively. Meanwhile, Eminem and Nelly continue to leapfrog each other, with “Nellyville” staying put at No. 4 this time around and Eminem dropping from No. 3 to No. 5.
Debuts fill out much of the Top 10’s latter half, with “Golden Grain,” the debut from Disturbing tha Peace--a rap outfit featuring Ludacris--in at No. 6, Lifehouse’s “Stanley Climbhouse” entering at No. 7 and Kenny G’s “Paradise” logging on at No. 9.
Rounding out the Top 10 is Norah Jones’ “Come Away With Me,” down one spot to No. 8, and Toby Keith’s “Unleashed,” which drops five places to No. 10.
Further down the chart, Columbia’s reissue of singer-songwriter John Mayer’s 1999 debut EP enters the chart at No. 22, just three spots behind the Mayer’s full-length debut, 2001’s “Room for Squares,” which sits at No. 19.
Other debuts include Natalie Cole’s “Ask a Woman Who Knows” at No. 32, the “Disneymania” compilation at No. 61 and Theory of a Dead Man’s self-titled debut at No. 85.