Friday, September 24, 2010

1st ever re-issue of Brute Force's '67 debut w rare Apple track

Bar/None Records is proud to announce its re-release of "I, Brute Force –
Confections of Love," quite possibly the greatest album you've never
heard. Release date is October 5 and this will be the FIRST re-release of
this album in 46 years.

 "I, Brute Force" is a kaleidoscope for the
sonically adventurous, a reprieve from the maddening sameness of everyday
life, and, as explained in the liner notes, an invitation to meet the
memorable characters inhabiting Brutopia, an alternative America in which
satire doesn't bite but merely nips, inhibitions get nudged and collapse
all akimbo, and love, however weird, conquers all.

One of the strangest and strongest albums of 1967, Brute Force's debut,
"I, Brute Force - Confections of Love," thrust the enigmatic artist into
the center of the musical conversation, where he shared studios with
Columbia Records label mates Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan, and garnered the
praise of George Harrison and John Lennon. For the first time, I, Brute
Force - Confections of Love is available on CD, along with bonus tracks
that include Brute's banned Apple Records single, "King of Fuh.  '” You can
hear one of its more infamous songs - "Tapeworm of Love" (covered by many
early DC punk bands incidentally) here: http://bit.ly/a490vg

Stephen Friedland, born in 1940, is the man behind the pseudonym Brute
Force. As a young man in New York City, Friedland was introduced to The
Tokens, an all-male doo-wop vocal group known for their hit, "The Lion
Sleeps Tonight."”The Tokens hired Friedland to work as a songwriter for
their music publishing company, Bright Tones Productions, and he
eventually became the group's keyboardist. While working for Bright Tones
Productions, he wrote The Chiffons 1965 hit  "Nobody Knows What's Goin On
(In My Mind But Me)," of which his version appears as a bonus track on
this album.

In 1967, with famed producer John Simon on board, Friedland went into the
studio to record his debut, I, Brute Force - Confections of Love. With
this record, he embarked on a journey to depart from the conventions of
the current pop music. Sprinkled with surprisingly conspicuous lyrics and
diverse instrumentation, his debut certainly stretched the envelope. His
characters, weirder than most, are still your basic star-crossed lovers,
just ones who march to a slightly quirkier drum. The music sounds familiar
and the challenges are the same, but it's all happening in an alternate
dimension.

Brute Force's mixed bag of songs is predictable only in its strange
catchiness and the accompanying urge to sing along. For example, while
listening to "In Jim's Garage," you may find yourself transported to the
same repair shop where the loving, though considerably greasy, Jim holds
his lover in his arms. Similarly, it's difficult to avoid humming along to
the nonsensical warbling of Brute's song "Sitting on a Sandwich,"  which,
comically, is literally about sitting on a variety of sandwiches. The
verdict is still out on whether there is a deeper meaning in said
sandwich-sitting, but either way, Brute's hyper-catchy songs are
consistently great, and it's guaranteed that you'll be immediately drawn
into their universe, strange as it may be.

Polished by George Harrison, championed by John Lennon, and released by
Apple Records,  "King of Fuh," which appears as a bonus track on this
release, is a timeless anthem, a song rightfully deserving of the Beatles’
seal of approval. The song, which at first seems to resemble a
straight-forward piano ballad, complete with a saccharine string section
and simple drumbeat, reveals Brute's droll sense of humor as he reaches
the chorus and the king's more common moniker is revealed: “"I said the Fuh
King  he went to wherever he wanted to go/Mighty, mighty Fuh King/All
hail the Fuh King."”

But not even the Beatles' praise would be able to secure airtime for a
song with such a controversial, albeit clever, chorus. Friedland’s record
label, Capitol/EMI, expressed its disapproval of "King of Fuh" by refusing
to release it, and the song was banned from the radio. This is not to say
that Friedland or Apple Records gave up. Apple Records privately pressed
2,000 copies of the single, along with its b-side, "Nobody Knows",  his
version of the Chiffons 1965 hit.  Soon after, Friedland drove from New
York to Los Angeles, pushing his single along the way. To his
disappointment, this proved to be a fruitless journey, and, a few years
later, plagued by rejection and disillusionment, he left the music
industry.

While working for his father as a paralegal in Edison, New Jersey, he
continued songwriting. Eventually regaining his confidence in the ‘80s and
‘90s, Friedland performed as a musical stand-up comic under his given
name. In 2001, Gareth Jones, bandleader of Misty's Big Adventure, an
eight-piece band from Birmingham, England, sent him an email. Jones had
read about Brute in Irwin Chusid's “Music in the Key of Z, and found
“"Tapeworm of Love," a song of Brute's that appears on this album, on the
Internet. He began covering the song with his band, and hoped that Brute
would come to England to tour with them. Brute accepted his offer, and
since then has toured with Misty's Big Adventure, as well as with his own
band, which features his daughter, Lilah, performing as Daughter of Force.
Bar-None Records is honored to release this classic album. After forty-six
years of near obscurity, its time has finally come. I, Brute Force –
Confections of Love is an album for the ages, an under-appreciated love
letter to the world, and, most importantly, a desperately needed escape
from reality.


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/

LIARS - LIVE at SHEPHERDS BUSH EMPIRE

LIARS

LIVE at SHEPHERDS BUSH EMPIRE

(iTUNES EXCLUSIVE)



CANADIAN TOUR DATES
9/29/10 – Lee’s Palace - Toronto, ON
9/30/10 – Le National - Pop Montreal (Headline)
10/1/10 – Ritual - Ottawa, ON
10/2/10 – This Aint Hollywood - Hamilton, ON
10/3/10 ­– Roosevelt Park - Detroit, MI

“A series of owl cries and electronically distorted yowls rose and fell over guitar lines played carefully just a half tone off where they should be, and the bass lurked and dodged in the lengthening shadows.”  – Chicago Sun-Times

“The trio has become one of the most daring noise bands to emerge from New York this century.” – The A.V. Club

Liars are releasing Live at Shepherds Bush Empire, a new EP consisting of five live tracks from their May 27th 2010 show at the renowned London venue. The iTunes exclusive EP is out September 28, 2010.

Liars will also release a new single, Proud Evolution, as a six track EP on October 19th, 2010. The new EP features a remix from Thom Yorke, a live version recorded at Music Hall Of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, plus three exclusive new b-sides “Come Now”, “Total Frown”, and “Strangers”.

Liars make a long awaited return to Canada, playing Toronto and Montreal for the first time since 2006, and playing Ottawa and Hamilton for the first time ever! Having taken their critically acclaimed fifth album Sisterworld across the US, Liars head north to devastate Canada including a headline appearance at the Pop Montreal International Music Festival on September 30th. For a peak at what Sisterworld looks like live, check out (Here) Liars’ performance at La Route Du Rock festival in France from August 13th 2010.

Sisterworldis out now on CD, double vinyl and 2CD version. The second disc of the 2CD release sees each track on Sisterworld remixed and reinterpreted by a host of artists including Thom Yorke, Devendra Banhart, Atlas Sound, Blonde Redhead, Fol Chen and Alan Vega while the unique packaging for the 2CD and deluxe vinyl editions, designed by Brian Roettinger / Hand Held Heart (Grammy nominated and Rolling Stone award winning for his work with No Age) allows a surreal glimpse into Sisterworld.

Daytrotter Session  Here

Pitchfork TV’s ‘Surveillance’ series  Here

John Norris for NoiseVox’s Noisemakers series  Here

“Live at Shephard’s Bush Empire” Track Listing:
1. Scissor
2. Proud Evolution
3. The Overachievers
4. Clear Island
5. A Visit from Drum

For more information and interview inquiries please reach out to Sheryl Witlen at Mute. Sheryl@mute.com  

This Date In Music History - September 24

Birthdays:

Barbara Allbut - Angels. The Angels were the first white girl group to have a US number one hit (1940)

Phyliss "Jiggs" Allbut - Angels (1942)


Gerry Marsden - Gerry and the Pacemakers (1942)

Carson Osten - Nazz, Utopia with Todd Rundgren (1946)

Jerry Donahue - Fairport Convention (1946)

Peter Salisbury - The Verve (1971)


They Are Missed:

The late Jim Henson (the voice of the Muppets, Ernie "Rubber Duckie" and Kermit) was born in 1936. His contributions to children's music are immeasurable.

Born on this day in 1933, Mel Taylor, drums, The Ventures. Taylor died of lung cancer on August 11, 1996.

Born today in 1942, Linda McCartney, (Linda Eastman). Wife of Paul, photographer, animal rights campaigner, launched her own brand of vegetarian food. Played keyboards with Wings and solo McCartney records. She died of breast cancer on April 17, 1998.

Singer-songwriter Matthew Jay died in 2003 (age 24) after falling from a seventh-storey window in London. Released the 2001 album ‘Draw’ and toured with The Doves, Stereophonics, Dido and Starsailor.


History:

Glenn Miller ended his broadcasts for Chesterfield Cigarettes in 1942 so he could go to World War II.

Sarah Vaughan recorded "Make Yourself Comfortable" in 1954.

In 1955, Elvis Presley appeared at The Louisiana Hayride, on KWKH TV, broadcast from Shreveport Auditorium in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Judy Garland made her TV debut on the "Ford Star Jubilee" on CBS in 1955.

'Mister Rock and Roll,' the story of legendary Rock promoter and DJ Alan Freed, premiered at the Paramount in New York City, NY in 1957. The film has appearances by Chuck Berry and Little Richard.

The Platters recorded the immortal cut "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" while in Paris in 1958.



In 1962, Elvis Presley received an invitation to appear at the Royal Variety Performance in the UK which is attended by members of the British Royal Family. Presley's manager, Colonel Tom Parker graciously declined, citing motion picture commitments. The real reason was that Parker was an illegal Dutch immigrant living in the United States who feared he might not be allowed to return if he left the country.

The Rolling Stones appeared at the Ricky Tick Club, Thames Hotel, Windsor, England in 1963.

In 1965, Bob Dylan played the first night on a 36 date North American tour at Austin Municipal Auditorium in Austin, Texas.

Jimi Hendrix arrived in London in 1966 with manager Chas Chandler on a flight from New York City. With only the clothes he was wearing, Hendrix had sold his other belongings to pay a hotel bill in New York.

The Association started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1966 with "Cherish." The New Christy Minstrels almost recorded the track but Association member and songwriter, Terry Kirkman, held onto "Cherish" instead of selling it for $1,000. The finished recording played for 3 minutes and 25 seconds, but the single’s label listed the time as 3:00 so that DJs wouldn’t be discouraged from playing a “long song.”



Traffic made their live debut in 1967 when they appeared at Saville Theatre in London, featuring Steve Winwood.

Also in 1967, filming continued for The Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour' at West Malling Air Station, Maidstone, Kent with the shooting of the "Your Mother Should Know" ballroom finale. With The Beatles all dressed in white suits and shoes, gliding down a glittery staircase as 160 members of Peggy Spencer's dance team swirled round about.



In 1971, the Jackson 5 appeared on the cover of LIFE magazine.

Stevie Wonder's sensational cut "Superstition" was released in 1972.

"The Love Boat" debuted on ABC-TV in 1977. The theme song was sung by Jack Jones and was written by Paul Williams and Charles Fox. (you won't hear it here!)

The first Elvis Presley convention took place in Memphis, TN in 1977.

"Come Sail Away" was released by Styx in 1977.

Fleetwood Mac`s "Don`t Stop" peaked at #3 in 1977. However, an Arkansas fan, Bill Clinton, revived the song using as his presidential campaign theme song in '92.



The mixing of the forthcoming John and Yoko album Double Fantasy moved from the Hit Factory in New York City to Record Plant East in 1980. During this session, John Lennon gave one of last ever interviews to Lisa Robinson from 97-FM in Buffalo.

Prince's "1999" single was released in 1982.

ZZ Top’s "Eliminator," containing "Legs" and "Sharp Dressed Man," went platinum in 1983. The album stayed on the chart for over three years.

Billy Joel went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1983 with "Tell Her About It," the former boxers second US #1, a #4 hit in the UK.

Paul McCartney released "No More Lonely Nights" in 1984.

Bobby McFerrin started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1988 with "Don't Worry Be Happy," the first a-cappella record to be a #1. "Don’t Worry, Be Happy," was also included in the movie, 'Cocktail.' The song would go on to win Grammy Awards for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

The Hollies were at #1 on the UK singles chart in 1988 with "He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother" after the song was used on a UK TV beer commercial, the song was originally a hit in 1969 and featured a young Elton John on piano.

In 1988, James Brown was arrested after a high-speed chase with police through South Carolina and Georgia. He was eventually convicted of illegal possession of firearms, drugs and failure to stop (ya think?) for the police and was sentenced to six years in jail.

Nirvana’s album ‘Nevermind’ was released in America in 1991, entering the chart at #144 on its first week, peaking at #1 in January 1992.

The album "The Low End Theory" was released by A Tribe Called Quest in 1991.

In 1993, Guns N' Roses reached a settlement with their former drummer Steven Adler ($2.5 million). Adler had been kicked out of the band for not kicking his heroin habit.

Eric Clapton performed on the season premiere of 'Saturday Night Live' in 1994.

The Charlatans were arrested by 24-armed police after a flight to New York in 1995. The band were accused of trying to disrupt the planes flight path, passengers complained of the group being drunk, spitting and interfering with in flight TV sets. Boys will be boys.....

In 1997, Barry Loukaitis was convicted of shooting and killing two pupils and a teacher at a school in Washington. His defense team claimed he had copied scenes from Pearl Jam's video "Jeremy."

Elvis Presley was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1998.

In 2003, The Dave Matthews Band played at Central Park in New York City, in front of almost 100,000, the band's largest audience to date. The Central Park Concert was later released as an album.

Gordon Lightfoot was inducted into the Canadian Songwriter Hall of Fame in 2003.

Stamps designed by John Lennon to support a strike by postal workers were sold for $2,000 in 2003, double the pre-sale estimate, according to auctioneers at Sotheby's.

In 2004, London`s Wembley Arena was the site of the 50th birthday party for the Fender Stratocaster guitar. Paul Rodgers, Joe Walsh and David Gilmour are among those who attend. Proceeds from the event go to the Nordiff-Robbins Music Therapy charity.

Audioslave's North American trek starts in Bakersfield, CA. Songs from member's previous bands find their way into the set list. "Between Rage (Against the Machine), Soundgarden and Temple Of The Dog, there's 11 or 12 (albums) that we could draw from," says guitarist Tom Morello. "The members of Audioslave are such a critical part of my history as a musician," claims Seether frontman Shaun Morgan. His group and Kasabian are the opening acts. 2005

In 2007, Puddle of Mudd frontman Wes Scantlin is banned for life from the late Elvis Presley's Graceland estate after jumping into a private pool on the grounds. The band is visiting the grounds while on tour. "I just wanted to take a dip," quips Scantlin. He’s dragged out of the pool by very unhappy security personnel.

Theory Of A Deadman score their first #1 on Billboard's Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks in 2008 with "Bad Girlfriend." The song displaced Metallica's "The Day That Never Comes" at the top spot. Meanwhile, Offspring's "You're Gonna Go Far, Kid" jumps to #1 on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart, knocking off Staind's "Believe."

The Police top Forbes magazine's list of the world's best-paid musicians in 2008. Between June ‘07 and June ’08, the group earned approximately $115 million. Van Halen and Genesis also land in the Top 10.

In 2008, London's Proud Camden Gallery hosted an exhibit featuring 200 photos of Elton John taken by photographer Terry O'Neill. Eltonography: A Life in Pictures includes a large number of previously unseen photos.

U2's concert breaks the attendance record for Giants Stadium in 2009. The Irish band drew 84,472 fans, breaking the previous record of 82,948 held by Pope John Paul II. Cool, out-drawing a Pope!