Spin magazine's Daily Noise

The Faint Unveil New Album, Out Aug. 5

Eric Nowels — Mon, 12 May 2008 18:46:49 -0400

After four years of writing, recording, producing, and even art directing their much-anticipated new record all themselves, Omaha, NE's the Faint have finally unveiled Fasciinatiion, and along with it, blank.wav, the quintet's newfound label, which will drop the follow up to 2004's Wet From Birth on stateside fans Aug. 5.

The fresh 10-track effort was conceived by the new-wave-lovin' rockers -- Todd Fink (vocals), Joel Petersen (bass/guitar), Clark Baechle (drums), Jacob Thiele (synthesizers), and Dapose (guitar/bass) -- in their recording and art studio, named Enamel, which was constructed by the fivesome following their worldwide trek in 2005. Catch the Faint unveiling new tunes live this summer on a lengthy 24-date U.S. tour, kicking off July 27 in Des Moines, IA.

Fasciinatiion tracklisting:

1. "Get Seduced"
2. "The Geeks Were Right"
3. "Machine in the Ghost"
4. "Fulcrum and Lever"
5. "Psycho"
6. "Mirror Error"
7. "I Treat You Wrong"
8. "Forever Growing Centipedes"
9. "Fish in a Womb"
10. "A Battle Hymn for Children"

The Faint tour dates:

7/27, Des Moines, IA (Peoples Court)
7/28, Sioux Falls, SD (Ramkota Annex)
7/29, Denver, CO (Ogden Theatre)
7/30, Salt Lake City, UT (In the Venue)
7/31, Boise, ID (Big Easy Boise)
8/1, Vancouver, British Columbia (Commodore)
8/2, Seattle, WA (Showbox at the Market)
8/3, Portland, OR (Crystal Ballroom)
8/4, San Francisco, CA (The Fillmore)
8/5, San Francisco, CA (Grand Ballroom)
8/7, Los Angeles, CA (Henry Fonda Theatre)
8/8, Los Angeles, CA (Henry Fonda Theatre)
8/9, San Diego, CA (Soma)
8/11, Austin, TX (La Zona Rosa)
8/12, Dallas, TX (Palladium)
8/14, Atlanta, GA (Variety Playhouse)
8/15, Carrboro, NC (Cats Cradle)
8/16, Washington, DC (9:30 Club)
8/17, Philadelphia, PA (Trocadero)
8/18, New York, NY (Terminal 5)
8/20, Worcester, MA (Palladium)
8/21, Toronto, Ontario (Opera House)
8/22, Chicago, IL (Vic Theatre)
8/23, Omaha, NE (Soko Auditorium)

When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth

Eric Nowels — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:53:12 -0400

What? Riding a fine line between overtly arty noise rock and a clamorous sonic disaster, Austin, TX's When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth debut this week with Not Noiice, an enticing collection of psychopathic, sludge-punk tunes, right at home at an acid-fueled Brooklyn loft party, or in the soundtrack to an experimental horror flick. "Hairvest," with its vexing, prog-like guitars, holding-it-all-together rhythmic force, and sheer sonic lunacy, boggles in the most enjoyable fashion, sparking some innate, animalistic urge to simply spazz out. But despite their seemingly serious output, the boys maintain a sense of humor -- just take a gander below at the Nirvana-spoof music video for "It's Not The Heat, It's The Humidity."

Who? Monstrous, Austin, TX-based seven-piece When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth, comprising singers George Dishner and Jesse Hodges, drummers Daniel Francis Doyle and Brandon Crowe, guitarists Marc Voorhees and Nate Cross, and bassist Cory Plump.

Fun Fact: Originally, When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth -- born when members of Austin acts Tuxedo Killers and Awesome Cool Dudes combined -- was solely an instrumental affair. But after Jesse Hodges broke his hand, the onetime axeman moved to the microphone. George Dishner soon followed, forming the band's current lineup.

Now Hear This: "Hairvest" ( DOWNLOAD MP3)

Now Watch This: "It's Not The Heat, It's The Humidity"

Video Vault: Ben Kweller

Eric Nowels — Mon, 12 May 2008 14:10:01 -0400

With our extensive festival coverage to exclusive performances, interviews, and beyond, SPIN.com has culled an enormous, and continually growing video catalogue full of excellent clips, and with this new regular feature, we'll be dipping into this video vault to show off some of our best.

Today's (May 12) clip recalls Spin's July '07 issue, which arrived to newsstands with a free CD of ten covers of Smashing Pumpkins classics -- amongst them, Ben Kweller's acoustic take on Billy Corgan and crew's Siamese Dream gem "Today." Kweller, an avid Pumpkins fan, invited SPIN.com to film him performing the tune on the Brooklyn waterfront, and to unearth what is about the alt-rock legends' oeuvre that has so greatly influenced his music.

Check out footage of the spot-on, turned-down tune, then join SPIN.com and Kweller in the rocker's time-honored Volvo, nicknamed Annabelle, for a video interview and tour of Kweller's Brooklyn 'hood.

Now Watch This:
Ben Kweller's live cover of "Today"

Ben Kweller's in-car interview and neighborhood tour

Click here for even more BK videos, including his set at the SPIN offices in 2005.

Check back to SPIN.com for more picks from the video vault, and visit our video section for all the latest.

Elbow's Sonic Tranquility Rubs Off on L.A. Fans

Eric Nowels — Mon, 12 May 2008 12:33:22 -0400

Los Angeles' typical weekend ruckus was slightly more subdued this past Friday (May 9), as the ethereal melodies of Elbow filled Hollywood's club Avalon to the brim. The eclectic audience, made up of thirtysomething artists, lovey-dovey couples, and the occasional Hollywood actor, seemed mesmerized by Guy Garvey, the David Gray-esque frontman with a voice as soothing as honey, who charismatically commandeered the stage with confidence and tranquility whilst singing about love, heartbreak, loneliness, and social tyranny. Violins, trumpets, and angelic choruses only added a layer of artistic texture to the striking performance.

The politically-tinged "Leaders of the Free World," off the band's 2005 album of the same name, drew a strong crowd reaction, particularly when Garvey's heavy-handed guitar solo kicked in. "Mirrorball," from their latest set The Seldom Seen Kid, invoked a disco ball from the ceiling, filling the room with bright wisps of light and providing an apt leeway into the show's most poignant moment, as Garvey requested the entire venue sing "Happy Birthday" to drummer Richard Jupp's son Dylan, who was been unable to be with his father on his birthday.

And later, Garvey, smile across his face, perhaps summarized exactly what was on his mind, stating, "this is the best job in the world, I'm afraid." The crowd was thankful he held the title, hungry and wanting more from his esteemed position.

We asked: One of Elbow's most known tunes, "Grace Under Pressure," contains the anthemic lyrical maxim, "we still believe in love, so fuck you." Why do you still believe in Elbow's music?

Name: Annie Jagger
Age: 32
Hometown: Grosse Point, Michigan
Occupation: Clothing Stylist
"My boyfriend introduced me to it, he plays it all the time. Guy is an interesting lyricist, puts a different spin on things. He definitely has a vision of the brokenhearted man who goes out into the world. It's an interesting aspect of love and life which you don't hear in popular music."

Name: Mark Redfern
Age: 30s
Hometown: London
Occupation: Under the Radar magazine
"They're one of those bands that keeps making great albums, never had a slump. I've liked every one of their albums. Guy has a great voice and they have fantastic lyrics."

Name: Stephanie Thompson
Age: 34
Hometown: Nova Scotia, Canada
Occupation: Interior Designer
"Because I like how melodic and deep and artistic it is. It's very arty, very different."

Name: Laura Ferreiro
Age: 29
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Journalist
"I think they're amazing musicians who have a lot of integrity. Their songwriting abilities are incredible and poignant. I'm a huge fan."

Elbow / Photo by Maggie Serrano

Toadies Frontman Lewis Details New Album, Due Aug. 19

Eric Nowels — Mon, 12 May 2008 11:41:04 -0400

Toadies fans, your dreams have come true! After a seven-year absence, the recently reunited Fort Worth, TX-based alt-rockers will return Aug. 19 with No Deliverance, their third studio album to date and first effort since 2001's Hell Below / Stars Above. The trio, hot on the heels of a string of well-received reunion gigs, also have a mostly sold-out summer jaunt ahead of them -- including a headlining slot at Lollapalooza Saturday Aug. 2!

Catching wind of the exciting news, which has been long debated in the Toadies' devout fan community, SPIN.com caught up with frontman Vaden Todd Lewis to get the lowdown on the band's reunion, new record, and future plans.

"I've learned to never say never," Lewis explains of the new effort, which the band didn't considered until August of '07, well after Lewis' other project, the Burden Brothers, was on indefinite hiatus. "When I made the decision to disband [the Toadies] in '01 I figured that was it… [but] I got the itch, so I called up Rez [drummer Mark Reznicek] and Clark [Vogeler, guitarist] and asked them if they would be interested in doing another album."

And as soon as the formalities were out of the way, the material began to flow. "Once I decided to jump I started writing," Lewis says, "stuff just came out of me while writing in my home studio… so the oldest ones [songs] are seven months old." Next stop, the studio, where the band -- which exploded on the success of 1994's debut record Rubberneck, and its brash, catchy-as-all-hell single "Possum Kingdom" -- have spent the past six to seven weeks. "We did the drums and most of the bass at Music Lane in Austin," Lewis continues. "The rest was done at Fort Worth Sound… [a] cool new studio in my hometown."

The result: No Deliverance, a collection of new tunes, produced by David Castell (Burden Brothers, Blue October), that Lewis confirms the band are now mixing for the Aug. 19 release date. "For this record I really tuned into what got me started as a musician," he comments on its sound, "it's the most bare knuckle record I've been a part of… don't expect any cello."

Amongst the album's tracklist: title track "No Deliverance," a tune about "the obsession with one's fate," "So Long Lovey Eyes," which was "written during an intense argument with my wife," and the first song Lewis penned for the record, "Don't Go My Way." "I wrote it during a pretty dark time, and it's a warning to my daughter to stay away from the music business," says Lewis. (The Toadies had a tumultuous relationship with past label Interscope, which scrapped their second record Feeler, and sent the band back to the studio. Three years later sophomore set Hell Below / Stars Above dropped. Soon after, the Toadies' relationship with Interscope was over.)

But overall, Lewis, with the support of grass roots Texas-based indie label Kirtland Records on his back, has a new outlook, moving forward with the Toadies in positive motion. And notably Lewis is thrilled for the band's forthcoming album-supporting tour ("Hell yeah!" he blasts), set to kick off in August, and for what the Toadies, especially after all these years, can offer fans and the music industry that no other rock band can: "Balls. A ton of balls."

'This American Life' Host Ira Glass, Mates of State Pay Homage to Phantom Planet, 'The O.C.'

Eric Nowels — Mon, 12 May 2008 10:12:04 -0400

On a long subway ride home last night from JFK Airport, I cued up one of my perennial faves for mass transit listening: the podcast of This American Life, the long-running NPR program hosted by Ira Glass (now in its second season as a television series on Showtime). The episode's theme was television -- apropos given the show's season premiere on Showtime last weekend -- and between segments from Sarah Vowell and Dan Savage, host Ira Glass began an earnest confession about his love for canceled Fox drama (and indie rock springboard) The O.C..

After recounting a scene where the show's Summer (Rachel Bilson) and Seth (Adam Brody) name-drop This American Life -- "Is that the show where those hipster know-it-alls talk about how fascinating ordinary people are? Ugh, God!" says Summer -- Glass talks about how his favorite television shows, like The O.C., connect with him in a deeply personal way, just like good radio shows. And as he continues his earnest ode to The O.C., which was taped before a live studio audience earlier this year, the piano twinkles of the show's Phantom Planet-penned theme, "California," begin to waft through the air, courtesy of Mates of State, who were serving as house band during these live tapings.

Finally, in a gleeful, bursting confession, Glass admits that when the show's opening credits roll, and "California" plays loudly, he and his wife would sing along at full volume. And then he proceeds to sing along as Mates of State perform a full-blown "California" cover for the live audience.

You can stream the episode on This American Life's website, or get it as a podcast via iTunes.

The TV version of This American Life airs Sundays at 10 P.M. on Showtime. Here's a clip from a recent episode:

New Video: R.E.M., "Hollow Man" (Live from Austin City Limits)

Eric Nowels — Fri, 09 May 2008 18:34:29 -0400

If you weren't amongst the lucky revelers taking in R.E.M.'s much-anticipated SXSW show this past March in Austin, TX, you can finally catch the Spin cover boys live in the Lone Star State with special preview footage of Accelerate track "Hollow Man," performed live for PBS' program Austin City Limits.

Telling of the benchmark quartet's return to their jangle-rock roots, frontman Michael Stipe and crew bash through the catchy tune, as it rises from a tender piano intro into the band's trademark, rhythmic garage-pop guitars, and Stipe's infectious narratives and sing-along choruses.

Check out the performance clip here, and tune into PBS May 24 to watch R.E.M.'s set in its entirety. For more on Austin City Limits, click here.

Now Watch This: R.E.M. performing "Hollow Man" on Austin City Limits

Fratellis Kick Off Spin's 2008 Ruby Concert Series

Eric Nowels — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:52:47 -0400

With a special performance June 15 at West Hollywood's Key Club, high-energy Glasgow-based trio the Fratellis will open the second season of Spin's Ruby concert series, an event dedicated to showcasing the best in new indie music, launched in 2007 in partnership with adidas Originals and Citi Private Pass.

"As Spin continues to support emerging artists, this platform allows bands to flaunt their talents in front of a packed house of fans," Spin President Tom Hartle said of the Ruby series.

And to score tickets to the Fratellis' opening gig, Citi cardholders have the upper hand; Citi Private Pass will hold an exclusive presale for cardholders only from May 8-10 via privatepass.citi.com. Premium packages will also be available that include the Fratellis' upcoming record, Here We Stand, as well as passes to the VIP pre-show reception at the Key Club.

Check back to SPIN.com for footage from the Fratellis' performance, and in the meantime, watch video the quartet jamming with the Who's Pete Townshend on "The Seeker" at Spin's 2007 SXSW party:

Dr. Dog Debut New Tunes Live to NYC Fans

Eric Nowels — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:22:23 -0400

Donning pastel men's dress shirts and an array of knit caps, Ray-Bans, and leather boots and loafers, idiosyncratic-as-ever Dr. Dog strolled onstage last night (May 8) and immediately kicked the venue into jubilant spirits with samplings from their upcoming fifth full-length release, Fate (out July 22).

Several times between songs, the band bashfully confessed to a collective nervousness about launching the new material -- but any unease was hidden well during the set. The new tracks displayed an upward orbit in terms of the quality of their craft; "The Old Days" stood out boldly with its galloping pace and catchy, hootenanny choruses of "down down down" and "chop, chop, chop." Conversely, "From"'s wistful lyrics of love, and down-tempo, ballad-esque sentimentalism separated it from the bulk of the set.

Throughout the evening, vocalist Toby "Tables" Leaman's growling and bluesy singing accentuated Scott "Taxi" McMicken's gentler crooning over calamitous keyboards and organs, intelligent guitar work, and classic rock bass/drum lines. The group's dynamic was exemplified during fan favorite "Ain't it Strange," which showcased Doo Wop-style harmonizing from grinning members atop a pounding guitar ensemble.

Fans reciprocated the high voltage energy coming off stage with joyful fist pumping, singing and dancing all the way through the hour-long set. Jam band bros. congregated with indie fans and 30-somethings alike, and embraced older material just as fervently as the fresh tunes. "The Girl," with its fuzzy vocals, blasting rhythms, and cascading melodies incited loud sing-alongs, and the Sgt. Pepper's-esque "We All Belong" served as a ideal closer to the band's, ahem, fateful night.

We asked: Fate is Dr. Dog's much-anticipated summer release, and it's being hyped as the album that they were "destined to write." As a fan, if you could control Dr. Dog's future or destiny in any way, what would you do?

Name: Klaus Anderson
Age: 25
Hometown: Tucson, AZ
Occupation:Model/Waitress
"A Dr. Dog reality show"

Name: Brian DiFeo
Age: 30
Hometown: New York City IL
Occupation: Educational Travel business
"I'd make it so that they play a lot more shows here in New York. More!"

Name: Chip Lewis
Age: 31
Hometown: New York City
Occupation:Internet Marketing
"Send my friends who live all over the country to see all of Dr. Dog's shows. And also some viral promoting."

Name: Chris Castellani
Age: 33
Hometown: Montclair, NJ
Occupation: Baker
"I'd bake them 'success brownies!'"

Dr. Dog / Photo by Eric Nowels

The Republic Tigers

Eric Nowels — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:29:46 -0400

What? Emerging from a curious indie-rock-meets-new-age fog, located somewhere between Enya, Bright Eyes, and Air, the Republic Tigers debut this week with Keep Color (out May 6), an excellent collection of acoustic guitars, backing ooohhhs and aaahhhs, sailing keys, and frontman Kenn Jankowski's hushed vocals, all covered in a ethereal, smooth production. And album opener "Buildings & Mountains" is an apt mission statement, with its digi-filtered instrumentation, sputtering progressions, and otherworldly transcendence. Tune in and -- in the word's of Enya -- "sail away."

Who? Kansas City-based quintet the Republic Tigers -- the first signing to new Atlantic Records imprint Chop Shop -- comprising Kenn Jankowski (vocals, keyboards, guitar), Adam McGill (guitar, vocals), Ryan Pinkston (guitar, keys, vocals, percussion), Marc Pepperman (bass, keys, accordion), and Justin Tricomi (drums). Catch the band on tour this spring with Tally Hall, and this summer warming stages for Nada Surf.

Fun Fact: Considering the band's use of computers in its music, it's no surprise the quintet have an affinity for video games. According to a spokesperson, the Republic Tigers are religious gamers, playing Halo 3, Call of Duty 4, and Ninja Gaiden 2 nonstop. And you can play along! Frontman Kenn Jankowski's Xbox Live gamer tag: eekswoknaj.

Now Hear This: "Buildings & Mountains" (DOWNLOAD MP3)