With the music-business climate perhaps more rotten than ever, there’s a growing tendency to romanticize the past. But it’s easy to forget the challenges faced by indie-rock bands and labels prior to the dawn of the Internet. Or, in the case of Merge Records, prior to the dawn of the Arcade Fire. Continue reading
With the first day of autumn only 10 days away, here’s a new batch of chestnuts for yer ears. Continue reading
Amid the increasingly incendiary debate over Islam in America, here’s a look back at a related interview I conducted with Steve Earle in 2004. In the article, now online for the first time, he admitted his previous ignorance about the religion and stressed the importance of understanding it, particularly in the wake of 9/11. He also criticized then-President George W. Bush – but admitted that Condoleeza Rice was “kinda hot.” Continue reading
There’s no shortage of gripes being voiced in the aftermath of yesterday’s FYF Fest 2010 at Los Angeles’ Historic State Park. Continue reading
Here is my recent Herald-Tribune interview with the remarkably down-to-earth frontman.
My Filter review of Holy Fuck’s Latin is here.
Here’s another vaulty thingy: me blabbing with a red face about Bright Eyes some years back on NPR.
Just unearthed my old review of Tool’s August 13, 2001, show at Los Angeles’ relatively intimate Wiltern Theatre (years before it became the Wiltern LG):
“The invincible act proved its robustness once again …”
I recently gabbed with Earth, Wind & Fire drummer Ralph Johnson about music … and karate … and flying airplanes … and …
Go here for the Herald-Tribune piece.
The Bad Penny (beta) 