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THE INDIE ROCK BLOG
The Indie Rock Blog is a collection of Sugartune Artist News and entries from our friends at the Rock and Roll Report. If sweet, sugartunes are stirring in your soul, keep your soul stirred with a subscription to our news feed. 
Legendary rock and roll radio DJ Scott Muni passed away recently and I really regret not posting anything about it at the time so to try and make up for that lack of judgement click here to listen to Scott in his prime on WOR-FM on October 8, 1966. Sorry Scott. Enjoy.
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I came across this blog after reading the author’s comments about being pissed off because I didn’t mention The Out Crowd in my post on Elephant Stone Records. Well he had a valid point so I’ll feature them a bit later in the week but I checked out his blog and I like it. Drugburn is subtitled "Taking music to make drugs to" and it has all kinds of interesting musings on punk rock, cool bands and American garage rock. I also think the guy is from Ottawa which was my old stomping grounds so he gets bonus marks for that alone. Check it out. It’s a good read with some cool downloads as well.
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If you’ve ever wondered what really happened to Elvis and JFK, a hilarious movie called "Bubba Ho-Tep" provides an explanation that is nearly as plausible and way more entertaining than anything else that’s ever been offered. It stars Bruce Campbell as a bitter, introspective Elvis with a bum hip and Ossie Davis, in a role that will truly surprise you, as a paranoid JFK who, among other things, is convinced that Lyndon Johnson is trying to kill him. They live in a nursing home in rural Texas, where they team up to battle the mummy of an evil Egyptian pharoah that sustains itself by eating the souls of the home’s residents.
The best thing about "Bubba Ho-Tep" is that it isn’t the farcical, slapstick comedy you might expect. The humor is clever and imaginative, and through the extensive use of voice over and flashbacks, the movie portrays the aged Elvis in a surprisingly sensitive and often poignant manner. To say any more would spoil most of the movie’s surprises, but if the premise sounds like your idea of fun, you should definitely put "Bubba Ho-Tep" at the top of your "to rent" list. Just one word of warning–it’s meant for adults, so you may want to watch it before deciding if it’s appropriate for your kids.
I just noticed that to tide us over until Philly rock and roll sensations The A-Sides release their new album in January of February 2005 they have posted three cool MP3s for our downloading pleasure. Check out Sidewalk Chalk. Park Avenue and Here or There for now.
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One of the all time classic rock and roll movies "Riot on Sunset Strip" is available at the phenomenal rock and roll video store The Video Beat. This movie has it all: hippies, pot, sugar cube LSD, psychedelic ’60s and fuzz garage punk all mixed together into a rock and roll film classic. Another fine late night movie selection for the true rock and roll film connoisseur. Two thumbs up.
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On XFM.com they have listed the "top 20 rock riffs of all time" as compiled by Total Guitar magazine. Here they are for your debating pleasure:
I’m surprised that the old warhorse "Satisfaction" is not in there or "You Really Got Me" or a bunch of others that I won’t bore you with. Obviously the majority of the selections are of the hard rock or metal genres but you would think that even something like "I Feel Fine" would crack the top 20. Ah well, guitarists speak up!
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On February 7th - 12th, 2005 in Los Angeles, California there will be a very interesting music convention taking place that just might be relevant to those of you trying to "do it yourself." The DIY Convention is an amazing collection of informative seminars for those of you producing indie rock, books and film. Absolutely jam packed with vital information that, considering the price if you can get to LA it is a total and complete bargain. Check it out.
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The Oracle Online has an interesting article called Artists Still Lose Out in Record Deals which basically argues that these newly emerging major label digital only labels are perhaps not as advantageous to the artist as they appear to be at first blush. You decide but at least there are alternatives to the alternatives as the article points out.
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The school kids involved in singing the classic chorus to Pink Floyd’s "Another Brick in the Wall" are suing for royalties now that the record is a bona fide classic. Can’t say that I blame them really. It’s hard to imagine the song without them, although at the same time that song has taken the place of "Money" as the most over-played Pink Floyd song ever. Why don’t I ever hear "See Emily Play" or "Arnold Layne"?
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Home to an amazing variety of great rock and roll from the likes of The Tonics, The Fastbacks and Neko Case to name just a few, Lance Rock Records is another indie rock jewel there for you to discover if you haven’t already done so. With a really eclectic line-up, Lance Rock Records is the perfect label to just randomly order something that sounds cool, even if you have never heard of it before just because it’s all part of the adventure of listening to new and exciting rock and roll. Check out their "Listen" section for some cool MP3s to sample. Great stuff.
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In the "blast from the past department", it appears that former glam queen Suzi Quatro and the kings of "Ballroom Blitz" the Sweet are recording together according to Undercover. Paul Jones from the original Manfred Mann will be involved as well. Hmmm, could be something interesting or something sad. It’s so hard to tell sometimes. I suppose that’s what makes it so fun!
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Here we go! Despite the fact that 2004 is not yet over, Blender magazine has released their 50 Greatest Cds of 2004. I’m confused, Ashlee Simpson and Sonic Youth on the same list? Interesting picks I guess…The link only lists songs 25-50. You have to pick up a copy of Blender if you want to find out the rest but I will post them as soon as I find them.
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I recieved this via e-mail and am posting it on the off chance that a "teen girl rock band" is actually reading The Rock and Roll Report!
Caroline Sinclair Casting is seeking an all-girl band in the pop, rock or punk genre – all ethnicities, age 13 to 17 – for a Coca Cola commercial. Must be an existing band, not an individual who sings or plays an instrument. The spot involves following the girls in their own environment with their band mates – rehearsing, shopping for gig outfits, playing a show, etc. Shoot date is week of December 13, 2004 in Los Angeles.
Interested bands should send a VHS tape or DVD of the entire band to the following address, arriving no later than end of business day, Monday, December 6, 2004. Please call or email to confirm that you are sending tapes/DVDs. (Sorry, tapes/DVDs cannot be returned.)
Caroline Sinclair Casting
c/o The Zipper Theater
336 West 37th Street
New York, NY 10018
212-279-1002
carocast@juno.com
Alternate contact:
Mi Ling Tsui
212-989-1527; 917-859-0765
mltsui@nyc.rr.com
I know what you are thinking. "Where the hell is Brian Jones buried?" Well if you really want to know check out Find a Grave. It’s kind of like a Yellow Pages for dead people. Creepy.
Oh by the way, Brian Jones is buried at Priory Road Cemetary, Prestbury, Gloucestershire plot V11393. Have a great weekend everbody!
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I’ve written about things like this but check out the story Heavy Metal is American Army’s Latest Weapon Against Iraqi Insurgents over at Blabbermouth.
"It’s not the music so much as the sound," said Ben Abel, spokesman for the Army’s psychological operations command at Fort Bragg, N.C. "It’s like throwing a smoke bomb. The aim is to disorient and confuse the enemy to gain a tactical advantage."
I say play Celine Dion instead. Nah, that would go against the Geneva Convention.
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If you are looking for a great rock and roll read then check out the amazing Lost In The Grooves: Scram’s Capricious Guide To The Music You Missed from Scram Magazine. Not only is the book great but they have a brand spanking new website called, ironically enough Lost in the Grooves that is essential viewing for those of us who are fans of the quirky, the distinctive, the demented. Eclectic takes on a whole new meaning with this bunch. Check it out for a hell of a lot of fun.
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Last month I wrote about the great Cleveland-based label Elephant Stone Records and one of the bands that I mentioned was on their roster was Daydream Nation. Well I have been listening to their latest CD Bella Vendetta incessantly over the last few days and I really like it. With comparisons to everyone from prime time Oasis and Soundtrack of our Lives to Swervedriver and the Jesus and Mary Chain, this is the best Britpop ever to emerge out of …..Canada. Check out Neon and A Passing Moment from Bella Vendetta and once you’ve experienced those download some of the other great tunes off of their debut album on their Sounds page. Great swirling, thick guitars. Gotta love it.
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Dedicated to the “legendary pop music of the pre-Woodstock ‘60s, Spectropop has been around since 1997 and is quite the resource if you are enthusiastic for the music of the Brill Building, West Coast surf and harmony, European and soft-pop girl groups and other related topics. The site is completely jam-packed with info that will make any fan of say The Cowsills excited. Not only does it contain reams of reference material but it also maintains a radio show and Yahoo group so if this kind of stuff turns your crank take a look. Very cool.
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We all now know that Rolling Stone has released their 500 Greatest Songs of All Time but how does that compare with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and their 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll? I wish I had the time to collate these two lists to see which ones appear on both lists and which ones don’t but I don’t so consider this your weekend homework assignment. Report back to me on Monday with your in depth analysis and philosophical musings on what you found and what you didn’t. Class dismissed!
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Well with December approaching we all know what time it is; yes it’s the time where every pundit, hack and critic put out their annual "Best of, Worst of 2004" lists and once again I’ll provide the coverage! Like last year I’ll try to link to as many of these as possible with a heavy emphasis on the more obscure rock and roll lists so if you have a favourite webzine, blog, magazine, e-list or radio show that publishes one of these suckers by all means let me know and I’ll share it with the world. A public service brought to you by The Rock and Roll Report and the letter "R."
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If you are looking for a great rock and roll website that features amazing articles, a radio show and tons of links featuring all kinds of cool record labels, bands, radio shows, records stores and much more you have to check out Grunnen Rocks. A fantastic rock and roll resource.
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If you are looking for a great rock and roll website that features amazing articles, a radio show and tons of links featuring all kinds of cool record labels, bands, radio shows, records stores and much more you have to check out Grunnen Rocks. A fantastic rock and roll resource.
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What do the Grateful Dead, acid and ESP have in common? Read An Acid Test for ESP and find out. Pretty far out man!
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Just a reminder to tune into VH1 tonight from 9:00 to 10:00 PM to watch the premiere of the "40 Most Awesomely Bad Metal Songs…. Ever" A great way to spend Thanksgiving right?
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I just got the news that a new Ugly Things, issue # 22 is finally due to be unleashed on the world at the end of November. Featuring the third installment of "The Misunderstood Story" plus stories on bands from Czechoslovakia, Columbia, Australia, Bratislava and more, Ugly Things will take you hours to read and enjoy. An indispensible magazine for all of us who love rock and roll. Order your copy today.
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Creature
Moonshine Orchestra
The Snitches