“With this album, I just wanted it to be different, more like an iPod on shuffle,” says Juno Reactor’s Ben Watkins on why the recently released ‘Gods & Monsters’ is his most varied album to date. \”The way people listen to music nowadays, and the way I listen to music, isn’t to sit down and listen to a whole album. I listen to a whole lot of stuff flung together. And I thought maybe that would be a good way to approach an album.”
McDonald’s & American Idol Go Low By Co-Opting DEVO’s Energy Dome
We recently discovered that DEVO has once again unwittingly intersected with mainstream pop culture.
McDonald’s fast food restaurants are offering a series of American Idol TV show themed toys in their children’s Happy Meals. One of the toys is named "New Wave Nigel", who sports an orange jumpsuit, punk shades, and an unmistakable DEVO Energy Dome. Flipping a switch plays a DEVO-esque song (which sounds a bit like a mutated version of DEVO’s Doctor Detroit.)
Was DEVO ever contacted by McDonald’s, American Idol, or anyone else involved in making and distributing this toy wearing their trademark headgear?
Of course not.
By continually pushing the creative limits of sampling technology, Meat Beat Manifesto have managed to remain just as innovative as they were when they unleashed “Storm The Studio” back in 1988. Elements of such styles as dub, hip hop, industrial and jazz have been heard in Meat Beat Manifesto’s music throughout the years, but their sound has never been derivative of any particular style. Rather, founder Jack Dangers and whomever he is collaborating with at a particular time use electronic music technology to get around any type of musical boundaries that a more traditional band may encounter. Meat Beat Manifesto are back with a new CD, “Autoimmune,” and are hitting the road with a truly multimedia live. We recently did another phone interview with Jack, where he talks about the beginnings of the band, video sampling technology, and more.
After a decade long absence, trip-hop pioneers Portishead are back a new album. Appropriately title ‘Third” (it’s their 3rd release, if you don’t count the live album), the disc will be release on April 28th in the UK and the following day in America.
We did an interesting interview with member Geoff Barrow back when the first Portishead album, “Dummy,” was released. Barrow spoke about the creative processes within the band, their interest in film music, and more. The article is available in our archives- check it out here!
Young Gods to release acoustic album, “Knock On Wood”
Posted : April 13th, 2008
The Young Gods will be releasing a new acoustic album, “Knock On Wood,” on April 18th in Switzerland / April 21st in Europe. They have posted some music samples from it on their myspace page. While known for their creative use of digital sampling, The Young Gods have in recent years been doing acoustic performances that prove their sound can adapt to a non-electronic format. When we spoke to member Franz Treichler last year, he said that the experience would probably lead to an acoustic release. And now it has!
I never thought it would happen, but Yaz have reunited for a tour! Known as Yazoo outside of the US, the duo of Alison Moyet and Vince Clarke are starting off with UK and European dates before coming to America in July. Six shows have been announced:
Jul 07 - Oakland, CA (Paramount Theatre)
Jul 10 - Los Angeles, CA (Orpheum Theatre)
Jul 11 - Los Angeles, CA (Orpheum Theatre)
Jul 14 - Chicago, IL (Chicago Theatre)
Jul 16 - New York, NY (Terminal 5)
Jul 17 - New York, NY (Terminal 5)
In a press release posted on the Mute Records website, the members had this to say about the tour:
Vince Clarke: “It’s been really good going back to these songs after such a long while. Many of them have never been played live. I’m looking forward to performing them with Alison for all the fans who’ve enjoyed our music through the years but never had a chance to see Yazoo in concert”
Alison Moyet: ”Playing this material live is not about revision for me, it is about finishing something we started – writing, recording, performing. Three parts of a whole. A salmon cycle. It’s like going home.”
The tour coincides with the release of a new 4 disc box set, “In Your Room.” For more info, visit the official Yaz/Yazoo website at yazooinfo.com
Electronic music pioneers Kraftwerk have announced a series of US live shows leading up to their performance at the Coachella Music Festival.
The dates are:
Sat 4/19 Minneapolis, MN @ Myth
Sun 4/20 Milwaukee, WI @ Eagles Ballroom
Wed 4/23 Denver, CO @ The Fillmore Auditorium
Sat 4/26 Coachella, CA @ Coachella Music Festival
For more info, visit the official Kraftwerk website at kraftwerk.com
DC’s Swamp Thing seemed like a rather unlikely comic book character to be given a live-action TV show, but the resulting USA Network series turned out pretty well. “Swamp Thing: The Series,” which originally ran for 3 seasons beginning in 1990, managed to capture the essence of the character and generally rise above the budget limitations of a cable series. It has finally found its’ way to DVD with a 4-disk season 1 & 2 collection. Actor/stuntman Dick Durock, who played Swamp Thing in both 80’s films, returned as the scientist-turned-swamp creature for the series. The tone was pretty dark and serious; a far cry from the campiness of 1989’s “Return Of Swamp Thing” film. In some episodes Swamp Thing would play a central role in the plot, while others focused more on his arch nemesis, scientist Anton Arcane. The show’s 1/2 hour format was a bit unusual for a sci-fi/drama, but this led to tight storytelling and more of a comic book feel. “Swamp Thing - The Series” is somewhat lacking in terms of DVD extras, but does present interesting interviews with Durock and original comic write Len Wein.
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DC’s Swamp Thing seemed like a rather unlikely comic book character to be given a live-action TV show, but the resulting USA Network series turned out pretty well. “Swamp Thing: The Series,” which originally ran for 3 seasons beginning in 1990, managed to capture the essence of the character and generally rise above the budget limitations of a cable series. It has finally found its’ way to DVD with a 4-disk season 1 & 2 collection. Actor/stuntman Dick Durock, who played Swamp Thing in both 80’s films, returned as the scientist-turned-swamp creature for the series. The tone was pretty dark and serious; a far cry from the campiness of 1989’s “Return Of Swamp Thing” film. In some episodes Swamp Thing would play a central role in the plot, while others focused more on his arch nemesis, scientist Anton Arcane. The show’s 1/2 hour format was a bit unusual for a sci-fi/drama, but this led to tight storytelling and more of a comic book feel. “Swamp Thing - The Series” is somewhat lacking in terms of DVD extras, but does present interesting interviews with Durock and original comic write Len Wein. 
