Fresh Off the Griddle - Music News

Dave Matthews Band saxophone player LeRoi Moore, one of the group's founding members and a key part of its eclectic jazz-infused sound, died Tuesday (Aug. 19) from injuries he sustained in an all-terrain vehicle accident in June. He was 46.

We are unbelievably sad to have to report this news right now.

LeRoi Moore, saxophonist for Dave Matthews Band, has reportedly passed away at a Los Angeles hospital following a string of complications from an ATV accident back in June. The details look a little fuzzy right now but that much is confirmed. This is a very sad day for Dave Matthews Band fans as Moore was a truly integral part of the group from the beginning. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to see DMB perform with Moore a few times in my lifetime, and he will truly be missed by the fans the community surrounding the live powerhouse.

Here's the statement from dmband.com:

We are deeply saddened that LeRoi Moore, saxophonist and founding member of Dave Matthews Band, died unexpectedly Tuesday afternoon, August 19, 2008, at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles from sudden complications stemming from his June ATV accident on his farm near Charlottesville, Virginia. LeRoi had recently returned to his Los Angeles home to begin an intensive physical rehabilitation program.

Dave Matthews Band saxophonist LeRoi Moore, who played with the group since its inception in 1991, died today. He was 46. The musician was recently readmitted to the hospital for injuries stemming from a June 30th ATV accident on his farm outside Charlottesville. The band is still scheduled to play the Staples Center in Los Angeles tonight (Bela Fleck saxophonist Jeff Coffin has been filling in) according to TMZ, which has a statement from the band. [Photo via d-m-b.us.]

Department of Eagles' new LP In Ear Park has been on repeat around here over the last few days, and apparently Ed Droste is into the record too (although he might be a little biased). The new album version of "No One Does It Like You, which we've blogged numerous times over the last year or so in its various incarnations (hell, the rough demo version was one of my favorite songs of last year), is amazing, and hints at the warm, nostalgic glow that Fred Nicolaus + Daniel Rossen have cast all over In Ear Park:

mp3:
department of eagles :: no one does it like you

In Ear Park was recorded by Grizzly Bear's Chris Taylor, and is out October 7 on 4AD. Pre-order now and receive the No One Does It Like You 7" (pictured above), which comes complete with Rossen's great JoJo cover on the B-side.

mp3:
daniel rossen :: too little too late (jojo cover)


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Previously:

mp3:
department of eagles :: in ear park

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Just as My Morning Jacket returned to the US in support of Evil Urges, they announced 12 additional dates in Europe during the months preceding their hopefully earth shattering New Year's Eve show at Madison Square Garden. To the relief of tired feet everywhere, they also announced that every show will start on time. So, if the ticket says 7:30, the band will be on stage at 7:30. They also had to cancel their Sept. 24th date in Las Vegas due to a "casino scheduling conflict."

In other MMJ news, they premiered a video for the amazing "Touch Me I'm Going to Scream Pt.II" on MTV's subterranean blog. The song, which has become quite the set closer recently, is represented well in the creepy/fun vibe they seem to revel in so effortlessly.

My Morning Jacket - Touch Me I'm Going to Scream Pt. II (Subterranean)

Read on for more info.

IMPORTANT NOTE FROM MMJ: In an effort to give our fans the best show possible, we'll be starting our shows at the showtime listed on your ticket, and below. Please spread the word to your friends and family coming to the show to get there early. Love, My Morning Jacket

The September 24th date in Las Vegas at The Joint Inside Hard Rock Hotel and Casino has been cancelled due to a casino scheduling conflict, and unfortunately will not be rescheduled on this tour. Anyone holding advance purchase tickets may return them for refund at the point of sale.

My Morning Jacket 2008 Tour Dates

08/19/2008 - Council Bluffs, IA - Stir Cove - Doors: 6:30 PM / Showtime: 7:30 PM
08/21/2008 - Denver, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre - Doors: 6:00 PM / Showtime: 7:30 PM
08/23/2008 - Dallas, TX - Palladium Ballroom - Doors: 7:30 PM / Showtime: 8:30 PM
08/24/2008 - Austin, TX - Stubb’s - Doors: 6:30 PM / Showtime: 7:30 PM
08/27/2008 - Atlanta, GA - Fox Theater - Doors: 7:00 PM / Showtime: 8:00 PM
08/29/2008 - Miami, FL - The Fillmore Miami Beach - Doors: 7:00 PM / Showtime: 8:00 PM
08/30/2008 - Orlando, FL - House of Blues - Doors: 7:00 PM / Showtime: 8:00 PM
08/31/2008 - Myrtle Beach, SC - House of Blues - Doors: 7:00 PM / Showtime: 8:00 PM
09/03/2008 - Washington, DC - Constitution Hall - Doors: 7:00 PM / Showtime: 8:00 PM
09/04/2008 - Charlottesville, VA - Charlottesville Pavilion - Doors: 6:00 PM / Showtime: 7:00 PM
09/05/2008 - Philadelphia, PA - Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing - Doors: 6:30 PM / Showtime: 7:30 PM
09/06/2008 - Boston, MA - Bank of America Pavilion - Doors: 6:30 PM / Showtime: 7:30 PM
09/19/2008 - Berkeley, CA - Greek Theatre - Doors: 6:30 PM / Showtime: 7:30 PM
09/21/2008 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre - Doors: 6:30 PM / Showtime: 7:30 PM
09/23/2008 - Phoenix, AZ - Marquee Theatre - Doors: 6:30 PM / Showtime: 8:00 PM
09/25/2008 - San Diego, CA - SDSU Open Air Theatre - Doors: 7:00 PM / Showtime: 8:00 PM
09/27/2008 - Portland, OR - McMenamins Edgefield Amphitheater - Doors: 5:00 PM / Showtime: 6:30 PM
09/28/2008 - Seattle, WA - McCaw Hall - Doors: 7:00 PM / Showtime: 8:00 PM
10/02/2008 - Minneapolis, MN - Orpheum Theatre - Doors: 7:00 PM / Showtime: 8:00 PM
10/03/2008 - Milwaukee, WI - Riverside Theater - Doors: 7:00 PM / Showtime: 8:00 PM
10/04/2008 - Detroit, MI - The Fillmore - Doors: 7:00 PM / Showtime: 8:00 PM
10/06/2008 - Columbus, OH - LC Pavilion - Doors: 7:00 PM / Showtime: 8:00 PM
10/09/2008 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre - Doors: 6:30 PM / Showtime: 7:30 PM
10/10/2008 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre - Doors: 6:30 PM / Showtime: 7:30 PM

Additional European Dates:

10/29 Dublin, Ireland - Irish Museum of Modern Art

11/1 Brussels, Belgium - Cirque Royale

11/2 Amsterdam, The Netherlands - Paradiso

11/4 Copenhagen, Denmark - Small Vega

11/5 Oslo, Norway - Sentrum Scene

11/6 Stockholm, Sweden - Berns

11/7 Lund, Sweden - Mejeriet

11/9 Berlin, Germany - Lido

11/10 Frankfurt, Germany - Batschkapp

11/12 London, UK - Brixton Academy
(as Special Guest to The Black Keys)

11/13 Manchester, UK - University

11/14 Glasgow, UK - ABC

Awkward...but helpful, if you weren't sure what the Walkmen are...



Watch it here.

(via)

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Also, I found this clip of the band playing "In the New Year" in some dude's basement. No further information on when/where this video was filmed, but man, I can't wait to see the band play their new stuff live in October...



mp3:
the walkmen :: in the new year

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by Black Bubblegum

Pharoahe Monch with Method Man @ Rock The Bells 2008

MC extraordinaire, 1/2 of Organized Konfusion, and alleged Diddy ghostwriter (Diddy's response: "Don't worry if I write rhymes, I write checks") Pharoahe Monch will deliver rhyme upon tongue-twisting rhyme at the Highline Ballroom on Sept 12th. Tickets are on sale. Soulful chanteuse Stephanie McKay will set the evening off at 11:30PM. Monch is currently touring Europe, check out full tour dates below...

PHAROAHE MONCH - 2008 TOUR DATES
August 20 - RUST - HEAT, Copenhagen
August 21 - Jazz Cafe, London
August 22 - Royal Arena Festival, Biel/Bienne
August 23 - Hip Hop Kemp, Prague
September 4 - Watermark, Hong Kong
September 6 - Watermark, Hong Kong
September 12 - Highline Ballroom, NYC*

* w/ Stephanie McKay

st. vincent, ostensibly preparing for Fun Fun Fun

Also, motherfucking Kool Keith! Yes. GvsB is unbelievably psyched to be a media sponsor of Austin's FFFFest for the second year in a row. Other highlights include Deerhoof, Bad Brains, Atmosphere, Islands, and the list goes on...Our good friends over at Austinist have the incredibly diverse full lineup.

mp3:
st. vincent :: now. now.

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A slab of Ssion is always a great way to the end the day, so let's get into it. Ssion man Cody Critcheloe remains busy: He took a director's credit on Tilly & The Wall's Beat Control," gave his mom a punk makeover in "Ah-Ma," and later hit us with the trashy radness of "Day Job." And yet none of that prepared me for Cody's latest directorial effort, this time for Fools Gold track "A Wolves Eye," which he describes as "David Lynch-meets-Jean Paul Gaultier with a little big of Gregg Araki and the scent of Jean Paul Gaultier (that's the cologne I wear)." Incredibly, after watching it that all makes sense! The video is set to a version of the song that's slowed, compliments of J.A.M., which makes for icy synths and dark beats that fit the fireside ritualism and druid sleaze sorta perfectly. I wouldn't say this is NSFW, but we posted it late because, maybe you'll just get less questions if you watch it from home.

by Bill Pearis

Springhouse

Before blogs, before the internet as we know it, Jack Rabid was writing up all the shows he attended, the records he listened to, and interviewing his favorite bands. Since 1980 he's been publishing The Big Takeover which started as a Xeroxed 'zine but is now a legit glossy mag, thick as a phone book, and even more crammed with reviews and meaty interviews with some of the biggest indie/alt bands and artists on the planet. The passion (and the encyclopedic knowledge of the staff) makes it such an awesome read to this day.

In addition to The Big Takeover, Jack is also a great drummer. Having played in a number of bands over the years (early '80s punks Even Worse, and more recently Last Burning Embers), he might be best known as one-third of '90s-era trio Springhouse. While lumped in with the then UK dreampop scene (Ride, MBV, etc), Springhouse (Mitch Friedland on treated classical acoustic, and bassist Larry Heinemann) was closer to early-'80s groups like The Sound, The Comsat Angels and The Chameleons, the latter of whom they opened for on their 2002 reunion tour.

Springhouse released two very good, if under-heard, albums on Caroline in the '90s and have been slowly working on a third that will finally see the light of day in October. As Jack wrote on Bigtakeover.com:"From Now to OK, which we've been working on for the better part of 10 years, is finally finished and will be released in October...on limited edition, 550 copies deluxe Bruce Licher-designed letterpress multi-layered foldout CD art package and free internet digital download, Radiohead-style (i.e. pay what you want!). Then we hit the road!"That tour is a "Big Takeover Presents" triple bill. Headlining are Magnetic Morning (previously known as The Setting Suns), the "supergroup" (my term) of Swervedriver's Adam Franklin, Interpol drummer Sam Fogarino and Jimmy LaValle of the Album Leaf. I saw them at their debut show back in December and despite a then-dearth of material (they've only got a six-song EP out so far, including three versions of one song and a cover) Magnetic Morning had it together, as you'd expect from a group of pros like this. They've been holed away in the studio all summer so I imagine we'll really find out what MM are all about in October.

Opening the Big Takeover tour is Washington DC's Julie Ocean, which is fronted by two veterans of the '90s DC/Arlington indie scene: Jim Spellman was in Velocity Girl and The High-Back Chairs (and is now a producer for CNN where he recently got Tasered on purpose); and Terry Banks was in Tree Fort Angst, The Saturday People and Glo-Worm. Julie Ocean's debut, Long Gone and Nearly There, is ridiculously catchy power pop.

There are only six dates on the Big Takeover Presents tour as of now, including one at Southpaw in Brooklyn on Oct. 21 which is also the opening night of CMJ. Tickets are on sale.

Adam Franklin has also been keeping busy with his old band Swervedriver and Magnetic Morning's dates are part of a much bigger fall tour. All scheduled stops, and a video, are below...

Magnetic Morning

The Big Takeover Presents - 2008 Tour Dates *
October 16 - Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506
October 17 - Washington, D.C. @ Rock and Roll Hotel
October 18 - Philadelphia, Pa. @ Johnny Brenda's
October 20 - Allston, Mass. @ Great Scott
October 21 - Brooklyn, N.Y. @ Southpaw (CMJ first night, but open to the public)

* w/ Magnetic Morning, Springhouse & Julie Ocean

MM - The Way Love Used to Be (Kinks cover) @ Mercury Lounge, Dec '08

Magnetic Morning - additional 2008 tour dates
Oct 23 Horseshoe Tavern Toronto, Ontario
Oct 24 The Grog Shop Cleveland, Ohio
Oct 25 The Catus Club Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Oct 26 The Empty Bottle Chicago, Illinois
Oct 27 7th Street Entry Minneapolis, Minnesota
Oct 30 Chop Suey Seattle, Washington
Nov 1 Doug Fir Lounge Portland, Oregon
Nov 2 The Independent San Fran., California
Nov 3 The Roxy L.A., California
Nov 4 Casbah San Diego, California
Nov 7 House Of Blues Dallas, Texas
Nov 8 Waterloo Park Austin, Texas
Nov 10 The Earl Atlanta, Georgia

The Followills tell NME: "It's difficult when you make a new record and you wanna play all the new songs live, but with technology these days, there'll be someone out there with a recorder and it kinda spoils it for us. You don't wanna play too many new songs because otherwise they'll be on YouTube or something, so we have to pick and choose. If it was up to us we'd play all the new songs because they're so fun to play." So you might wanna stop. Or, keep on doing it, depending on which side of this scrum you are.

One of the bands I was already pretty psyched about seeing at next month's Monolith Festival is TVOTR, and the first jam from their upcoming Dear Science LP (streaming over at their website) only adds to my excitement. The first thing about "Golden Age" that grabbed me is that filthy-ass bassline, but after reading a couple writeups on the track, I've yet to see anyone mention that it sure sounds like that's Kyp singing lead on this one, not Tunde. Then again, I'm wrong a lot. Anyone? [EDIT: it's definitely Kyp.]

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Fairly or not, when a band loses a charismatic frontman, they’re left with a hole that’s both more obvious and difficult to fill than, say, keyboardist or drummer. Rock history has shown that bands can actually become more popular... Chris Gray

Your Tuesday afternoon just got 100% more great. "Golden Age" is the first listen from TV On The Radio's forthcoming return from Cookie Mountain, titled Dear Science, (comma included, thinking its epistolary). It will probably make you dance. Don't be fooled by the dry tones on the "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" bass groovy intro, things do open up -- not quite in the same way they perfected last time out, it's a slightly modified mix coming from Sitek: horns and strings, synths and handclaps, polyrhythm in the pulse, vocals melting all over the horizon. Tunde (Oops, it's Kyp) is pitching "a golden age, coming around." (I definitely hear Celebration's Katrina Ford in there, too.) Pretty triumphant, guys. Have a listen at tvontheradio.com. Yes, that is Kyp shirtless and afroless.

Dear Science, is, out, 9/23, via, Interscope. Here's your cover:

Sarah Silverman @ Comic Con 2008 (veganstraightedge)

Sarah Silverman was the special guest at the free comedy show 'It Is It' at Pianos in NYC last night (August 18). Todd Barry also performed.

Todd Barry performs again tonight (August 19) - at Knitting Factory with "Variety Shac, Jim Gaffigan, Tigers & Monkeys and VERY Special guests!!". The rumor is that Sarah once again will fall into that "special guest" category.

Where will Todd Barry be on Wednesday (August 20)? He'll be performing with Sean Conroy and "VERY special guest" at UCB's free, weekly "School Night" show. Will Sarah be the guest again? Only time will tell.

Sarah's next actually-scheduled performance (aka she will definitely be there) is at Hammerstein Ballroom on November 8th - part of the New York Comedy Festival and tickets are on sale.

Well, I don’t think I can get in any sort of trouble for posting this Travis video.

The track, Something Anything, is from the forthcoming album Ode to J. Smith, due out Sept. 29 in the UK. Not sure what that means for a U.S. release.

In more Travis news, the band’s outstanding track, Sing, has been covered by Glen Campbell for his Meet Glen Campbell covers album.

Perhaps Campbell is returning the favor on a Wichita Lineman cover by Travis and Jason Falkner?

Here’s Campbell on AOL’s Sessions:

There's been a few developments in the world of YACHT since last we checked in. For one: YACHT is now a full-time duo, with the addition of one Claire L. Evans (to see the pair in action, watch them answer our lame Texas Trivia questions). For another: A few months ago YACHT recorded "Summer Song," an aural love letter to tourmates LCD Soundsystem. James Murphy was so touched by the track's appropriation of the DFA-banger vibe, his label decided not only to put out the single as part of a four-track EP, but to sign team YACHT for their next album release. That is one powerful song, and so here it gets powerful visual accompaniment. It is filmed by Portland director Judah Switzer, and it captures the making of the worst music video ever. But in a good way.

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Don Caballero - "Lord Krepelka" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Don Caballero - "Bulkeye" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: The Poison Arrows - "Casual Wave" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: The Poison Arrows - "Lockaway" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: The Poison Arrows - "Trailer Park" (MP3)

Punkgasm is out now, and it marks record number two for the revamped Don Caballero lineup with members of Cretia Bourzia. Check out "Lord Krepelka" and "Bulkeye" above and check Don Caballero out on August 23rd (Saturday) at the Knitting Factory with An Albatross, Ponytail and WFMU DJ Marty McSorley. Tickets are still available.

Back in 2003, when original member Damon Che decided to reform Don Cab, he reached out to former members Mike Banfield and Pat Morris to see if they wanted to participate. Both declined. Both are showcasing their new bands at Mercury Lounge in NYC September 1st. Tickets are at the door. Tropic Of Nelson is also on board.

Pat Morris is in The Poison Arrows who are knee deep into EP number three (Casual Wave was released on August 19th on File Thirteen Records). Check out the title track above, as well as a track from each from their two previous EPs.

Knot Feeder, featuring Mike Banfield, haven't updated their MySpace blog in a while, but they made it known that they recorded six tracks with J.Robbins at his studio Magpie Cage for an upcoming full-length in December, and that they were finishing it some time in February.

Of course, Ian Williams was also a member of the pre-2003 Don Caballero. He is plugging away at a little band called Battles and they recently played Central Park Summerstage.

Don Cab dates HERE. PA & KF dates below...

Video interview with Ian Williams (Battles)

The Poison Arrows - 2008 Tour Dates
2008-08-29 Pittsburgh PA @ The Smiling Moose w/ Knot Feeder
2008-08-30 Cambridge MA @ TT The Bear's w/ Sex Pod and The Thalia Zedek Band
2008-09-01 NYC @ The Mercury Lounge
2008-09-02 Washington DC @ The Black Cat
2008-09-03 Atlanta GA @ The Earl
2008-09-04 Knoxville TN @ The Pilot Light
2008-09-05 TBA
2008-09-06 Louisville KY @ TBA
2008-09-12 Chicago IL @ Subterranean w/ Holy Fuck
2008-09-13 Madison WI @ The Corral Room

Knot Feeder - 2008 Tour Dates
Aug 29 - Smiling Moose Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Sep 1 - The Mercury Lounge New York, New York

S.J. and the Crossroads, “Get Out of My Life Woman” The history of white garage rockers influenced by black soul screamers and blues guitarists is as deep as the ocean: Elvis, the Rolling Stones, Zeppelin all made their mountains... Chris Gray