Kicking ass and taking names... or not. Only a few hours old and already stirring up controversy.

By Blurt Staff

Damn, this gal's cocked and loaded for bear: Otep Shamaya, fiery frontwoman for heavier-than-heaven band OTEP, is also one helluva activist, and she's taking her message to the airwaves, er, to the BLURT blogosphere. This morning brought the debut of her new blog "Battle Ready," and the first installment is titled "Menace to Society."

In it, she warns of a creeping menace that is infecting America today, and how she's joined the "crusade to combat this diseased vermin before things get out of hand... Our nation was built on the good God-fearing Judaic-Christian heritage of Andrew Jackson, George Wallace, General Custer, Nixon, McCarthy, and J. Edgar Hoover. We are not, nor have we ever been, a nation of equals. We are a nation of chutes and ladders."

Liberals and conservatives alike just may get their preconceptions turned upside down. Go to the blog section of our site or click HERE to access her blog. If you dare... as of this writing, 13 readers have already commented, some of them actually "getting the point," in fact...

Part of BBC 3's "Late Junction" pairing up disparate artists; to be aired Oct. 15.

By Blurt Staff

Tortoise recently hunkered down, on August 26,  in BBC's Maida Vale Studio with Wire/Githead frontman Colin Newman. It was part of a series of collaborations set up by BBC Radio 3's "Late Junction" wherein artists who might not usually work together to spend a day in the studio recording a session (not unlike those "In The Fishtank" projects from a few years ago).

Previously the BBC has paired up Tunng and Tinariwen, resulting in a tour together. Other recent sessions have included Wildbirds and Peacedrums meeting Micachu, as well as Adem and Sweet Billy Pilgrim. The Tortoise-Newman summit is set to be aired October 15 at 11:15 pm (London time) over BBC 3.

According to the BBC, "When Tortoise and Colin Newman, two heavy-weights of underground music, went into the studio no one quite knew what to expect, but when the day was over both parties felt that the session had been amazingly productive and agreed that the resulting recording was something to be proud of."

Newman and Dan Bitney added their comments:

DAN: "This experiment could have gone wrong in so many ways, trying to basically improvise with someone you've never played with before...sometimes it just doesn't happen even with people you're used to playing with!  I'm really happy with what we came up with. Colin was great to work with and I find it refreshing to make recordings that aren't 'fixed' with hours of editing, more of a 'that's what happened' recording experience."

COLIN: "What I can say is this. I don't think here was any way in which anyone could have predicted if this would work or not, the approach was to expect zero that way disappointment would be best avoided!  However, in truth it came out way better than anyone had a right to expect. The pieces are not developed, mainly taken after a single or no run through and mixed on the fly but there is enough in their basic energy to make one wonder if this is a project which may well have a life beyond the confines of a single visit to the BBC studios in Maida Vale.... A couple of the tunes have refused to vacate my 'internal walkman'.."

Incidentally, for non-UK fans,  the program is also available to listen again for up to seven days after broadcast via the website: www.bbc.co.uk/radio3

The distaff one-third of folk icons Peter, Paul & Mary was a songbird of rare plumage.

By Fred Mills

Mary Travers of Peter, Paul & Mary passed away yesterday in Danbury, Connecticut, following a four-year battle with cancer. She'd been diagnosed in 2005 with leukemia but a bone-marrow transplant held the disease at bay until recently; reportedly, complications related to chemotherapy contributed to her death. She was 72.

Born in Kentucky, Travers landed in Greenwich Village in time for the folk boom of the ‘60s, and after singing on the NYC circuit for several years she met fellow musicians Paul Stookey and Peter Yarrow - Bob Dylan's manager Albert Grossman introduced the singers - and together the trio managed to bring a measure of commercial gloss to traditional folk sounds. They recorded numerous hits that are still staples of oldies radio, among them "If I Had A Hammer," a signature version of Dylan's "Blowin' In the Wind," the is-it/is-it-not-about-smoking-pot children's classic "Puff the Magic Dragon" and John Denver's "Leaving on a Jet Plane" - the latter, in particular, was elevated from maudlin status (read the lyrics) to a genuine pop anthem thanks to PP&M's intuitive harmonies, Travis coating the vocals with a believable vulnerability.

Travis and her partners were also champions of myriad social causes throughout their long career, which weathered its share of ups and downs, including a breakup in 1970 tht lasted until 1978 when they got back together for a concert protesting nuclear power.

In a lengthy New York Times obituary, Yarrow and Stookey  remembered their bandmate, Yarrow calling her as "honest and completely authentic" and Stookey adding "her charisma was a barely contained nervous energy - occasionally (and then only privately) revealed as stage fright."

Scott Pascucci, President of Rhino Entertainment (Rhino issued the trio's final album, In These Times, in 2004), placed Travers in the larger perspective in a statement:

 "American music has lost one of its strongest, truest voices with the passing today of Mary Travers.  As part of Peter, Paul And Mary, she was at the forefront of the '60s folk renaissance, inspiring millions of people to greater activism on behalf of racial equality, peace, and opportunity for the oppressed.

"Surely the most successful folk trio of all time, Peter, Paul And Mary have been a loved member of the Warner Music Group family for nearly 50 years. Their 1962 debut album brought folk music of consciousness to the top of the charts and was monumental in launching the fledgling Warner Bros. Records label. Their unprecedented string of gold and platinum albums, hit singles, and Grammy® Awards was truly astonishing. In 2004, the trio performed in our offices in support of their final album, In These Times; and the joy they felt for their music and the responsibility they felt toward their audiences remained as clear as when they began nearly half a century ago.

 
"Mary was always a champion for human rights. Along with Peter and Noel Paul, she performed at the March on Washington in 1963 where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his legendary "I Have a Dream" speech. They also performed in support of Cesar Chavez and the UFW at Carnegie Hall in the late 1960s and for strawberry pickers in California in the 1990s.  They performed at national marches for women's choice in Washington and demonstrated in support of the Anti-Apartheid Movement, committing an act of civil disobedience that led to the trio's arrest in front of the South African Embassy. 

"Although society's challenges have changed since the legendary day on which "If I Had A Hammer" rang out at our nation's Capitol, the need to engage in the process of improving our world remains just as great, and Mary's music and life will continue to inspire generations to come to improve the world in which we live." 

44 songs to be released one at a time, totally free...

By Blurt Staff

"The commitment that is most important is the one I'm making to you--that the music of Teargarden by Kaleidyscope will be available for free to everyone. All 44 songs: free for ALL," announced Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan, about the forthcoming new album, in a posting on the band's website.

It will ultimately feature 44 songs, 4 of which are now being recorded. The entire collection-which Corgan says "harkens back to the original psychedelic roots of The Smashing Pumpkins; atmospheric, melodic, heavy, and pretty"--should be completed by early next year with a world tour slated for spring 2010. 

Explains Corgan about how the music will be issued, "My desire is to release a song at a time beginning around Halloween of this year, with each new release coming shortly after until all 44 are out. Each song will be made available absolutely for free, to anyone anywhere. There will be no strings attached. Free will mean free, which means you won't have to sign up for anything, give an email address, or jump through a hoop. You will be able to go and take the song or songs as you wish, as many times as you wish."

Teargarden By Kaleidyscope, says Corgan, "is based on ‘The Fool's Journey,' as signified in the progress of the Tarot, the intention is to approach the work by breaking down the journey of life into four phases as made by different characters depicted in major arcana cards: the Child, the Fool, the Skeptic and the Mystic."

The music will not only be issued online, reveals Corgan.  "We will sell highly limited edition EPs (of 4 songs each times 11), and details of how those EPs will be made available are still being worked out. Because the songs themselves will be free, the EPs will be more like collectors items for the discerning fan who will want the art itself, along with the highest possible audio quality available. The EPs will be more like mini-box sets rather than your normal CD single. We may also offer other variations for sale--say for example, a digital single with a demo version of a song."

Upon the album's completion "it will be compiled into a deluxe box set which will also be made available for sale. Those who have bought the EPs need not worry, as the box set will not be a recompilation of the limited edition pieces. "

"I am very committed to seeing this album through to its completion and very, very excited about the prospect of delivering new Smashing Pumpkins music to you in a unique and exciting way." 

Will also be performing classic 1997 opus in a series of ATP concerts.

By Blurt Staff

Spiritualized will re-issue their classic album ‘Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space' on November 16 in the UK on Sony Music. (No official announcement for a US release has been made yet, however.)

The album release coincides with the upcoming live performances of the entire album; part of All Tomorrow's Parties  ‘Don't Look Back' series, as previously announced. The band were approached two years ago to perform the album live on its 10th anniversary.  It took a while for  J.Spaceman (aka Json Pierce) to finally agree to the idea. ‘It was a decision made at altitude' he says referring to being on top of Mt. Buller in Australia at the time. The live performances will see the regular band augmented with strings, brass and choir.

It is now 12 years since ‘Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space' made a profound impact in the summer of 1997, both critically and commercially, with its psychedelic soundscapes and heart-rending lyrics. It has influenced a whole range of musicians ever since. It was NME's album of the year for 1997 and reached No.4 in the official charts.  Originally packaged as a giant pill offering a written prescription, the concept was creatively inspired reflecting the depth of emotion and trauma laid bare on this truly remarkable work.
 

The album will be released with new artwork on special limited edition formats with bonus content. These bonus tracks were in storage and subsequently forgotten about until Jason Pierce moved house and discovered the ‘lost' recordings from 12 years ago. The tracks give a valuable insight into the artist's work-in-progress - demos, instrumental versions, sessions mixes - and highlight an aim for perfection prior to recording the definitive version.

The formats include:

The Collector's Edition. This will include 12 x 3" Mini CD's of the complete full album track-by-track, an homage to the original release. This will be accompanied by 2 bonus discs (as per tracklisting below). Only 1,000 of these sets will be made, making these extremely limited.

The Special Edition will include the original album in the legendary and unique pill pack style packaging, alongside the 2 bonus discs. This Special Edition will also will be a limited, one-off release.

The original album with new artwork and a revised version of  opening track ‘Ladies & Gentlemen' (now including "Can't Help Falling In Love" as originally intended for this album), will also be released as a Standard 1CD Version. 

Track Listing:


1. Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space
2. Come Together
3. I Think I'm in Love
4. All of My Thoughts
5. Stay With Me
6. Electricity
7. Home of the Brave
8. The Individual
9. Broken Heart
10. No God Only Religion
11. Cool Waves
12. Cop Shoot Cop


Bonus CD 1

1. Ladies And Gentlemen (A Cappella)
2. Ladies And Gentlemen (Demo)
3. Ladies And Gentlemen (Strings)
4. Ladies And Gentlemen (Kate Telephone Call)
5. Ladies And Gentlemen (Moles Studio Mix 7)
6. Ladies And Gentlemen (Original Oratone Ideas)
7. Ladies And Gentlemen (A Cappella w/ Lead Vocal)
8. Come Together (Instrumental Demo)
9. Come Together (Demo In Lower Key)
10. I Think I'm In Love (Original Demo Idea)
11. I Think I'm In Love (Demo)
12. I Think I'm In Love (Drums/Wah)
13. I Think I'm In Love (A Cappella)
14. I Think I'm In Love (Vocal Demo Jan 96)
15. I Think I'm In Love (Gospel Choir Session)
16. All Of My Thoughts (Demo)
17. All Of My Thoughts (Strings)
18. Rocket Shaped Song

Bonus CD 2

1. Electricity (Demo)
2. Electricity (January 96)
3. Electricity (June 96)
4. Home Of The Brave (Demo)
5. Home Of The Brave (Panned Vocal)
6. Beautiful Happiness
7. Broken Heart (Demo)
8. Broken Heart (Strings)
9. Broken Heart (Vocal Harmony/Angel Corpus Christi)
10. Broken Heart (Early Vocal)
11. No God Only Religion (Demo)
12. No God Only Religion (Horns)
13. Cool Waves (Demo)
14. Cool Waves (String Session Mix)
15. Cop Shoot Cop (Demo)
16. Cop Shoot Cop (Dr. John 'The National Anthem)
17. Cop Shoot Cop (String Session Mix)

Spiritualized are set to perform the album in its entirety at the following venues:

12 / 13 October
Royal Festival Hall - London
SOLD OUT

14 December
Apollo - Manchester
£25 + booking fee via 0844 4777677 / giggsandtours.com

16 / 17 December
Barbican - London
£32.50 + booking fee via www.barbican.org.uk

19 December
Sage Centre - Gateshead
£32.50 + booking fee via www.tickets.thesagegateshead.org

Latest issue of subversive pinko muso rag Dagger arrives and it's a corker!

By Fred Mills

Around here at BLURT central we have one motto: "Support the troops!" (Also "ignore annoying emails from p.r. flacks" but we won't get into that right now...) Ergo, let us tip you in the direction of BLURT contributor Tim Hinely's fanzine called Dagger - the latest issue, pictured above, recently hit newsstands.

What is  "newsstand," all you Internet dweebs ask? Why, it's an archaic commercial construct designed to sell those quaint artifacts known as "print publications." You know - paper, ink, glue, staples, dead trees, landfill refuse...

Issue #42 of this long-running labor of love is crammed with photos of the legendary garage loons the Mummies, interviews with some of our favorite artists (like Tim Lee, Elf Power and David Kilgour of the Clean) and more record reviews than you can shake a 45 adapter at.

Hinely, based outta Portland, also has a pretty snazzy website you should check out. But clearly, if you're a REAL man, er, music fan, you will want the physical goods. Plus, you'll be doing your part to thwart the creeping contemporary trend of magazines going under and disappearing for good. Tell Tim BLURT sent ya...

Now THAT is the power of love. Not your mama's type of jam band, that's for sure.

By Blurt Staff

Back in April, San Fran loonies Still Flyin' released their latest album Never Gonna Touch the Ground (Ernest Jenning), a mesmerizing amalgam of psychedelia, mutant world beat and indiepop that's still a favorite around here at BLURT central.

Now comes word that ace knobs twiddler Hood Internet has remixed the band as "LMFAO vs Still Flyin", and you can nab a copy of it via download right HERE. You'll be glad you did - it's like taking a whole new drug!

The band's on tour right now too...

9.19.09 Athens, GA (Kindercore and Owl Scooters Hootenanny) w/ Maserati and more
9.20.09 Atlanta, GA The Earl w/ Peelander-Z, Excalibrah
9.21.09 Knoxville, TN Pilot Light w/ Excalibrah
9.22.09 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506 w/ Air Waves, The Beets, Excalibrah
9.23.09 Washington DC DC9 w/ Excalibrah
9.25.09 NY, NY Mercury Lounge w/ The Rifles
9.26.09 Boston, MA Cafe 939 @ Berklee w/ Pants Yell, Excalibrah
9.27.09 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda's w/ Ape School, Folklore
10.21-24.09 NY, NY CMJ!!
10.25.09 Geneseo, NY Mac's Place
10.26.09 Columbus, OH The Basement
10.27.09 Chicago IL Schuba's
10.28.09 Des Moines, IA Vaudville Mews
10.29.09 Minneapolis, MN Triple Rock
11.01.09 Austin, TX Stubbs BBQ
11.03.09 Tucson, AZ Club Congress w/ Fatima, Yellow Fever
11.05.09 Los Angeles, CA Spaceland w/ Hearts Of Palm UK
11.06.09 Santa Cruz, CA Don Quixotes
11.07.09 San Francisco, CA Cafe Du Nord w/ Yellow Fever

Bands currently touring together.

By Fred Mills

Hot off a UK tour with Dinosaur Jr, BLURT faves Dead Confederate have just kicked off their co-headline tour with the Meat Puppets. It started last night in Tempe and will run through Oct. 24 in Athens. After that the band will hook up with A Place to Bury Strangers and All the Saints for dates running through early November.

Meanwhile, the band is offering a free digital 7": Dead Confederate's "The Rat" (Live from Laundromatinee.com) plus The Meat Puppets "Go To Your Head "(from Daytrotter's SXSW sessions)". We're not exactly sure how something in digital form can have seven inch dimensions, but what the hell, go here to get the tunes. All you'll have to do is provide some quick contact info for their mailing lists.

Tour Dates:

Sep 16 - Tempe AZ Marquee Theatre - AZ!
Sep 17 - Solana Beach, CA - Belly Up Tavern!
Sep 18 - Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre!
Sep 19 - San Francisco, CA - Slim's!
Sep 20 - Sebastopol, CA - HopMonk  
Sep 22 -  Portland OR. Wonder Ballroom!
Sep 23 - Seattle WA - Chop Suey!
Sep 24 - Boise, ID - Grizzly Rose!
Sep 25 - Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge!
Sep 26 - Boulder, CO - Fox Theatre Boulder!
Oct 21 - Birmingham, AL - Bottletree Café!
Oct 22 - Nashville, TN - Exit/In!
Oct 23 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade!
Oct 24 -  Athens, GA, 40 Watt Club!
Oct 26 - Chicago, IL - Double Door*
Oct 27 - TORONTO, ON - The Mod Club*
Oct 28 - MONTREAL, QC - Il Motore*
Oct 29 - New York, NY - The Bowery Ballroom*
Oct 30 - Cambridge, MA - Middle East Upstairs*
Nov 5 - Oxford, MS - Proud Larry's
Nov - 7- Austin, TX - Fun Fun Fest

! w/ Meat Puppets and Ume
* w/ A Place to Bury Strangers and All The Saints

Due Oct. 27 for all you downloadin'  types. The rest of us have to wait until next year.

By Blurt Staff

Respected singer-songwriter - and BLURT blogger - Matthew Ryan is set to drop Dear Lover, his twelfth recording, via The Dear Future Collective. It arrives digitally on Oct. 27, while the general public will be able to nab it on CD next February 16.

The album's described as  "a mea culpa, a cry to fight for what you hold most dear" with some of Ryan's "most poignant" lyrics - "I want that feel/Like a plane when it arrives/Where at the gate/Family waits with quiet smiles" (from "City Life').

Much of the album, Ryan notes in the official press release,  "was inspired by events in the Spring of 2009. In short, last winter I found myself in an emergency room with someone I love. It seemed too soon. I guess it always is. But it started my head spinning around these songs once everything turned out alright.... It's a collection dedicated to saying the things between lovers that often go unsaid. It's not all doom and gloom. But you know, earnest to say the least."   

 
The record is his first self-recorded effort. Nine of the ten tracks were recorded at The Lerkim, his home studio in Nashville. Among the musicians playing on the album: Molly Thomas (violin), Scott Simontacchi (mandolin), Brian Bequette (guitar, bass, accordion), Billy Mercer (bass), Amanda Shires (violin) and Rod Picott (vocals). Meanwhile DJ Preach tackled a remix of the song "Spark."

Dear Lover is the followup to 2008's critically hailed Matthew Ryan Vs The Silver State.

Scratching anywhere, anytime, in or out of mosquito season...

By Fred Mills

We here at BLURT don't usually feature products in our news items - and the news item you're reading here isn't intended to open the floodgates as such (SO ALL YOU P.R. FLACKS, DON'T EVEN BOTHER ASKIN'...) - but sometimes a piece of gear just looks so sweet we can't resist, so it's worth the gratuitous plug.

Ladies and germs and scratch deejays, meet the Scratchophone v1.2, complete with drive and mixer controls. A picture is worth a thousand words, and a video (see below - it's awesome, as is the soundtrack) is worth a million, so we'll leave it at that; if you wanna find out more about how to scratch anywhere, anytime. go to the Scratchophone website.