Thursday, August 12, 2010

Celebrate Vinyl Record Day on Saturday August 14!


This year, Vinyl Record Day is today, August 12, and those in the know will help celebrate this historic audio format on Saturday the 14th.  I plan on being at a family BBQ and will be spinning platters for the party.  Remember to enjoy your records, help keep this historic audio treasure alive for future generations!

Music News & Notes

George Michael To Reissue Debut Solo Album 'Faith'

George Michael is scheduled to release a remastered edition of his 1987 debut solo album 'Faith,' including a Limited Editor Numbered Collectors box set. The reissue will be released on September 27.

'Faith' has sold more than 20 million copies around the world and became the best selling US album of 1988.

The tracklisting for 'Faith' is:

"Faith"
"Father Figure"
"I Want Your Sex (Parts 1 & 2)"
"One More Try"
"Hard Day"
"Hand To Mouth"
"Look At Your Handa"
"Monkey"
"Kissing A Fool"
"A Last Request (I Want Your Sex Part 3)"

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Belle and Sebastian Release Upcoming

The Scottish band’s first album of new music since 2006′s 'The Life Pursuit' (although they did release an album of B-sides and live tracks in 2008) now has a name and covert art. Their eighth album will be called Belle and Sebastian Write About Love, and Stuart Murdoch is encouraging fans to do as the album cover girl does: write the album’s title in public places in their own hometowns, and then post the pictures of videos on the band’s special Flickr Group.

The album will be released via Rough Trade Records, though the release date has yet to be announced.








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Elliott Smith compilation will see November release

A brand new Elliott Smith compilation album, 'An Introduction To… Elliott Smith', is scheduled to be released on November 1. The album will feature material from all seven of the late singer-songwriter's studio albums as well as being released on CD and vinyl by Domino Records.

Smith died in October 2003 after suffering an apparently self-inflicted knife wound.

The tracklisting of 'An Introduction To… Elliott Smith' is:

'Ballad Of Big Nothing'
'Waltz #2'
'Pictures Of Me'
'The Biggest Lie'
'Alameda'
'Between The Bars'
'Needle In The Hay'
'Last Call'
'Angeles'
'Twilight'
'Pretty (Ugly Before)'
'Angel In The Snow'
'Miss Misery'
'Happiness'

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The Wombats Announce Comeback Single ‘Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves)

The Wombats are set to return with a new single "Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves)" on September 27th via 14th Floor Records. The single will be followed by the band’s second studio album (title yet to be announced) which is released towards the end of the year. ‘Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves)’ was produced by Eric Valentine (Queens of the Stone Age, Lostprophets), ‘Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves)’ and will be released on CD and two 7” vinyl formats, as well as digital single track download.

The band had this to say: “We’ve approached this album slightly differently from the last,” explains drummer Dan Haggis. “Whereas the first album was practically recorded live with a few overdubs, this time round we’ve had the time to really play with the sonics. Now we just can’t wait to get out their and get sweaty.”

The Wombats are also planning their first full UK tour since November 2008 (details in the weeks ahead) and working on their second album in the NRG Recording Studios in Los Angeles.

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The Morlocks' new LP devoted to garage roots: Chess Records

During their career, there's often a calling among dedicated, serious rock performers to offer tribute to the music that inspires them. Growing up fans of Chicago blues-rock legends like Howlin’ Wolf and Bo Diddley, The Morlocks' shared love of all things related to Chess Records created a natural inspiration to pay homage to some of their musical heroes. The resulting album, The Morlocks Play Chess, being released by the popantipop label is a gritty, unwavering collection featuring 12 of the most enduring Chess Records anthems. Dripping with sweaty, booze-and-nicotine-soaked three chord garage blues, The Morlocks Play Chess isn’t some teeny bopper karaoke bullshit. The album's sloppy fascinations and recognizable, sing along choruses are teeming with and honest, unbridled agony and ass-shaking ecstasy that is the essence of true rock and roll. The whole album is streaming here: www.popantipop.com/themorlocks
 
And you can grab an MP3 of "I'm A Man" that you are free to post for free download here: http://www.yousendit.com/download/aHlUeW4rcTI3bUJFQlE9PQ

Through the twists and turns of rock and roll’s unending stretch of highway, The Morlocks have proven themselves to be road warriors and survivors. Today, as they prepare to take on the world, The Morlocks continue to see themselves being placed in the ranks of the most mysterious, respected and legendary American garage-punk bands.

Tell me something: Is rock and roll worth getting hangnail and calluses, busted-out teeth, bruises and black eyes? Is it worth the long hours driving from city to city, catching one bath a week and drinking yourself back sober just to bring two hours of joy to your audience? Is it worth the lacerations, the broken relationships, the endless stream of nights cobbled together through bad coffee, truck stops, 24-hour diners and drive-thrus, bottomless bottles of booze, pack after pack of cigarettes, waking up in a van surrounded by guitar amps and microphones? Is the need to make music really worth living and dying for?

The Morlocks believe it is. The Morlocks aren't some smoothed-out, swagged-out fuck-ups toting stage passes and guitars; The Morlocks are a living, sleeping and breathing embodiment of the garage punk they've perfected and long performed. The music they create is the lifeblood of their cause, a cause which is as much a point of pride as a way of life. The scars, breaks and bruises earned along the way serve to magnify the only truth they know.

You see, The Morlocks are not afraid for you to watch them bleed.

Both as a band and as individuals, The Morlocks have earned their stripes on the rock and roll circuit. Hailing from Los Angeles, The Morlocks are staples of the city's world-renowned music scene. Through  break-ups, break downs, personnel changes, changing cities and shifts in popular culture, The Morlocks have continually grown stronger at what they do best even as they died their many deaths. In the process, The Morlocks have built up a die-hard following and originality. Where others would have bled out long ago, The Morlocks get stitched up and keep going.

Surprising, then, that in 1999, Spin Magazine printed an inaccurate story declaring the death of their energetic, charismatic lead singer Leighton Koizumi. Needless to say, Leighton (far from being dead) continues to lead the charge, a duty he has held since the band's debut LP Emerge. With the addition of Mark Arnold on drums, Lenny Pops and Nicolas Jodoin on guitar duties and Joe Baluta on bass, The Morlocks have continued to perform and make records, a number of which have been featured prominently in movies, television shows and video games.

When The Morlocks Play Chess in your city, you're going to need lots of cold beers and some dry towels standing by when the show is over. And, yeah- save some for the band as well.

http://www.popantipop.com/
www.myspace.com/themorlocks

For more information and materials contact:

Howard Wuelfing
Howlin' Wuelf Media
215-428-9119
http://howlinwuelf.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/howlinwuelf
http://howlinwuelf.blogspot.com/

"You've got all that is really needed,
to save this dying world
from it's funkless self" - Parliament


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A film about vinyl




Flip side has no replay for record store owner