GOOD RUSH, BAD RUSH

This is a great t-shirt. You can get it here.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & THE E STREET BAND PLAY "STUMP THE BAND"

I can't wait to see Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band when they come to New Jersey in a few weeks. Whenever Bruce is on tour, I follow the setlists on Backstreets (which is where I got this picture from).

This time around, it seems like a continuation of the Magic tour from last summer: they're not so much promoting the new album (they do a few new songs each night, of course) as they are celebrating their career and having fun. They've been playing lots of interesting covers: they've recently done ZZ Top's "I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide," and "I Wanna Be Sedated" by the center of Little Steven's Underground Garage universe, The Ramones. Last night, they did The Clash's "London Calling." I often refer to the Bruce/Steven/Elvis Costello/Dave Grohl performance of "London Calling" from the Grammy Awards as "the best four minutes of tv, ever." (Of course, I wasn't around to see The Beatles on Sullivan).

Dave Marsh, who hosts a great live call-in show on SIRIUS XM's E Street Radio, says that this tour is a "victory lap." Well, they've earned it. Still, I'd love to hear "Surprise, Surprise," "The Last Carnival," "Good Eye" and "Kingdom Of Days" on this tour. Speaking of "Kingdom of Days," Patti Scialfa, who missed a few dates on the tour due to a horseriding accident, was back last night. Glad you're feeling better, Patti. I interviewed her years ago, and she was super-cool.

FAT WRECK CHORDS HAS THE RIGHT IDEA

Fat Wreck Chords is the indie punk label run by Fat Mike of NOFX. NOFX has a new album out this week, Coaster, and it costs $8. Mike posted a note on his web site: "...it will be priced under $10 in every store in North America. This is not a sale. This is how much this CD costs, and not only that, but EVERY CD on Fat Wreck Chords will now be under $10 and most will be under $8. No, we are not crazy. We just think that having a very low CD price is a fair way for scene supporting music fans to support their favorite independent bands and labels. Sound crazy? I think it sounds reasonable. We make less profit, but bands hopefully will sell more CDs to more people, which is why we started doing this in the first place."

I'm not gonna front like I've been a fan since day one or whatever. I first saw NOFX in maybe '93: they opened for Fishbone and were great and I bought some of their albums. But I really respect this move. Mike is his own boss and he's made a lot of money while NOT gouging his fans. A lesson to be learned there, I think.

CLARENCE CLEMONS' AUTOBIOGRAPHY

E Street Band sax player Clarence Clemons will release his autobiography, Big Man: Real Life and Tall Tales in October. I was kind of surprised to hear about that. Bruce Springsteen (or his management team) tend to keep "inside info" about the man and the band under pretty tight wraps. I'm sure he Clarence had to produce some cool E Street stories to get the book deal, I wonder if he had to go through Bruce first.

STEVEN TYLER'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler will release Does The Noise In My Head Bother You? in October. He's a great entertainer, and I'm sure that it will translate amazingly into a book. Aerosmith has an authorized band autobiography called Walk This Way, I wonder if this book will yield any other revelations about the band. Tyler and Joe Perry are like brothers, and they fight like brothers: I guess it must be sensitive to address in a book. Should be interesting.

CALL THE WAAAAAAAAA-MBULENCE FOR THE KILLERS SINGER

Killers singer Brandon Flowers complained to the NME that they aren't as big in America as they are in the U.K. because of... well, bands that are much better than they are (I guess). "Over here, people are so obsessed with Led Zeppelin and Nirvana, those sort of bands, that no one else is allowed to grow." Uh, OK. You didn't say that about Bruce Springsteen, who you totally aped on a recent album. (Unsuccessfully: they sounded more like Meat Loaf, but not as good).

What I want to know is, how does a guy who is clearly influenced by artists like Elton John and The Pet Shop Boys (both of whom collaborated with The Killers on a Christmas single for Project (RED)), Queen and other gay artists, totally brag about being Mormon and never call out the Mormon Church on its homophobia?

MY THOUGHTS ON CBGB

Tonight I met John Varvatos. Until a few years ago, I hadn't heard of him. He's a fashion designer. He bought the former location of CBGB and made it into a boutique. Obviously pretty controversial.

For the last few years of its existence, CBGB seemed like a shadow of what it used to be. It wasn't just that famous bands stopped playing the joint - although they had - it also wasn't a stop for up-and-coming-red-hot type bands any more. I think it was great that lots of young local bands without industry connections were tearing it up on the same stage that The Ramones and Television had played back in the day. But the place wasn't what it used to be. Lots of people complaining that it was closing probably hadn't been there in years. By the way, I'm not trying to claim that I was a CB's die-hard. I went there a bunch of times, saw some cool shows there, period.

I think it's lame the city didn't preserve it as a landmark: regardless of whatever the club was doing at that point, it was at the very least an important historical landmark, culture-wise. But what happened, happened. They couldn't pay their rent, or come close, and in the grown up world, you don't get to keep your place if that happens (unless you're a banker or stock broker who has lost millions of dollars).

This past weekend, I was in Asbury Park, New Jersey: it was similarly a bummer to note the loss of "Tillie." I do think cities should preserve certain reminders of thier past, but that's just my opinion.

Anyway, the ex-CBGB was pretty much abandoned when Varvatos happened upon it and came up with the idea to turn it into a boutique. I went there last week. Yes, it is unnerving to see someone selling jeans for like $500 at a place that used to stand for punk rock and used to have hardcore matinees. But the place could have become a bank or something. It was dead and gone. Varvatos appropriated some of the artifacts of the place, and now it is what it is. Some would rather it be a bank, at least then it is a clearer "enemy," instead of a millionarie using rock and roll to draw people in. Personally, I'm not mad at Varvatos. As I mentioned, I met him tonight, I filmed him interviewing the great David Johansen of The New York Dolls (it will be posted at SIRIUS.com soon) and I felt his interest in the place, and in music, was genuine.

But I'm not paying more than $50 (maybe $60, not more than $70) for jeans. (I did, however, buy Handsome Dick Manitoba's Book of Punk Rock Lists when I was there for $15).

TOMORROW ON OUTQ: JANE'S ADDICTION BOX SET AND NEW DEPECHE MODE

After a week off, I'll be back on OutQ this week at 9 am ET
Wednesday morning. This week, I'll be talking about the new Depeche Mode album, Sounds of the Universe and the Jane's Addiction box set, Cabinet Of Curiosities.

I'm not a huge D. Mode fan, but I respect them and enjoy their greatest hits. I was honestly surprised how much I liked this album. I think bands from the '60s and '70s almost age more gracefully than their younger counterparts from the '80s, and it's hard for a goth to grow up. And I heard that they were just using vintage synthesizers on the album - I thought they would be trying to party like it's 1985 again. But it's a very current and cool sounding album.

The Jane's box set isn't for "beginners." It's not a great starting point for the band (like, say, Star Time would be for James Brown fans). I think it's great (and if you get it at Best Buy, they have an exclusive 5th disc), but only if you have their first three albums, which are all classics anyway.

KIM THAYIL WENT TO CHRIS CORNELL'S SHOW

Yeah, the other night Chris Cornell played Seattle, and tweeted that Kim Thayil showed up (although, sadly, didn't jam with Chris). I found this picture at Blabbermouth. Of course, Kim recently did get his Soundgarden on when he played a few tunes with Ben Shepherd and Matt Cameron along with Tad Doyle of Tad at Tom Morello's Seattle stop on his Justice tour. I wonder what this will lead to...

LILITH FAIR TO RETURN IN 2010?

Terry McBride - who runs Netwerk Records and manages Sarah McLachlan (among others) - tweeted that Lilith Fair is returning in 2010. And the festival's website has a short message that says "returning in 2010" and links to a wikipedia article about the festival. Lilith got a lot of flack from snide critics, but I went all three years, and saw some great artists: Sarah, Tracy Chapman, Sheryl Crow, The Indigo Girls, Morcheeba and The Pretenders, to name a few. Plus Joan Osbourne and Fiona Apple played. I hope the next incarnation will be as good.

LARS ULRICH MEETS RACHEL MADDOW

I'm a big fan of Rachel Maddow. I also love Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, and I consider them far more credible than most "serious" news people. But where Stewart and Colbert are really like Tina Fey and the best "Weekend Update" hosts on SNL, it is pretty easy to parody TV news people. Almost all of them are ridiculous. Madow on the other hand, takes the more daunting challenge of becoming an actual news program host and making it credible. Why am I writing about this on No Expiration? As an intro to her interview with Lars Ulrich of Metallica. It's really interesting - more for her introduction of them, and her explanation of how much they mean to her, than for what Lars says (although he comes off well). Check it out here (thanks to the Daily Swarm). I think the interview may have gone differently if it had been James Hetfield!

STREET SWEEPER HITS JUNE 16

Tom Morello's Street Sweeper with Boots Riley of The Coup will release their self titled debut on June 16. Hear some more of their new songs on their MySpace page.

PEARL JAM, DAVE MATTHEWS BAND AND BEASTIE BOYS HEADLINE AUSTIN CITY LIMITS

I don't report about all of the festivals - everyone else does, and I don't really go to them, so I don't have much to add. But I have attended the Austin City Limits Music Festival twice, and it is awesome. This year they have a pretty great lineup: Pearl Jam, The Beastie Boys and The Dave Matthews Band are headlining. Oddly, all three are also headlining San Francisco's Outside Lands Festival. ACL will also feature Kings Of Leon, who I am warming up to a bit (I still think they're kind of overrated), Ben Harper and Relentless7, Thievery Corporation, John Legend, The Dead Weather, Levon Helm, Sonic Youth, Mos Def, The Toadies (!), Flogging Molly, The B-52's, Arctic Monkeys, Coheed & Cambria, Clutch and Spearhead, among others. It used to be a bit more roots-oriented (appropo for Austin) and seems to have lost that a bit, but it is still a great lineup.

ROCK THE BELLS WILL ROCK A LITTLE MORE

Busta Rhymes and The GZA have been added to the already cool Rock The Bells lineup which also features Nas and Damien "Junior Gong" Marley, The Roots, Common, Big Boi and GZA's fellow Wu-Tangers RZA and Raekwon. That's a pretty cool lineup. This is according to All Hip-Hop.com.

LIL' WAYNE'S NEW ALBUM IS HIS AQUAMINI?

In an interview with MTV.com, Lil' Wayne's producers Cool & Dre say that his next album isn't all "rock," and they compare it to OutKast's Aquamini. That's the one with "Rosa Parks" and "Skew It On The Bar-B." I know it makes me sound old to say it, but: yeah, right. I heard one of Wayne's rock songs and it was funny.

MUDCRUTCH TO TOUR?

In the new Rolling Stone, Benmont Tench is interviewed in the Smoking Section -- he's currently touring with Sara Watkins, formerly of Nickel Creek. He mentioned that Tom Petty and Mike Campbell are working on a live Heartbreakers album, but that they might tour as Mudcrutch later this year. Good news! Meanwhile, Campbell also plays on Bob Dylan's upcoming album, which I can't wait to hear. 

I WISH I THOUGHT OF THIS

I just found this blog called Pre-Durst.  It basically celebrates '90s music before Limp Bizkit seemed to take over the radio landscape. Even though I don't like all of the music that the site celebrates, I wish I thought of that idea! 

THE FERGIE/PHIL COLLINS CONNECTION

The blog Idolator has a funny comparison between Fergie from Black Eyed Peas and Phil Collins -- both artists were able to balance, for a time, huge solo success and the huge success of their bands. Although I doubt Fergie and the Peas will be able to maintain as long as Phil and Genesis did. Not that I'm one to hate on the Peas, I liked them before she joined, and I like some of the stuff that they have done since. But there seems to be a backlash against them that dwarves the hate that Phil and Genesis got, and I don't know if they have the fanbase that Phil and the boys had. 

THE PIXIES BOX SET

The Pixies will re-release all of their studio albums in a box set called Minotaur.  It will have bonus tracks and new artwork by legendary 4AD graphic artist Vaughan Oliver.  Find out more at the A+R website. Meanwhile, Frank Black's new band, Grand Duchy, is about to go on tour. And The Breeders have a new EP, Fate To Fatal. 

STEVE ALBINI'S DREAM RECORD STORE

Steve Albini isn't really known for his sense of humor, but he uses humor to make a great point about why record stores are important in this Record Store Day advertisement in The Chicago Reader. 

ANVIL'S CRITICAL ACCLAIM

Anvil! The Story of Anvil got a great review in The New Yorker of all places. Wow.  I've got to see this movie. 

THE LA'S TO RETURN?

The NME reports that The La's may follow up their decades-old debut album with the help of Pete Doherty of Babyshambles (and formerly of The Libertines).  It almost sounds like a joke, but supposedly, it's true. 

MY THOUGHTS ON SUSAN BOYLE

I figured I had to write about the whole Susan Boyle thing. Like most other people with a heart, I was totally moved by the performance, even though I don't like that kind of music. I see no reason for a "backlash" against her. I don't think the performance was faked, and I don't think the judges knew about her before she came on stage (contestants for these shows are screened by the shows producers, or judges hired by the producers -- they most likely let the very best and very humorously worst contestants through. Obviously the judges would realize what a great splash Susan Boyle would make). I think it's a bummer that, even though millions of people have viewed her performance on YouTube, she hasn't made any money. Hopefully she'll get some kind of record deal, the fame won't destroy her, and she'll have a better life. 

BOB DYLAN TOGETHER THROUGH LIFE LYRICS CO-WRITTEN WITH ROBERT HUNTER

I'd heard rumors that Bob Dylan had co-written the lyrics to his upcoming album, Together Through Life with Grateful Dead wordsmith Robert Hunter, and it turns out: it's true. (They've written songs before, the co-wrote "Silvio.") The great Dylan blog Isis not only confirmed that fact, they also have the credits on the album: Mike Campbell of The Heartbreakers plays guitar on the album (he has played on prior Dylan albums and also on the Bob Dylan & The Heartbreakers tour in the '80s). David Hildago of Los Lobos plays accordion and guitar, and Tony Garnier from Dylan's touring band plays bass. Dylan wrote all the music, except on one song, "My Wife's Hometown," which is credited to Dylan and Willie Dixon. I'm glad he gave Willie the credit: Led Zeppelin failed to credit him on "Whole Lotta Love," and tons of people have ripped him off. And Dylan took songwriting credit for "Someday Baby" from his last album Modern Times when it was clearly derivative of the blues classic "Trouble No More." Around that time, Suzanne Vega wrote a piece for the New York Times about Bob's "borrowing." Anyway, what I've heard of the album so far has been great, I can't wait to hear the whole thing. 

DEAD WEATHER INTERVIEW

The Dead Weather played their first public gig the other night at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC and supposedly it was pretty rocking. Self-Titled just did an interview with the band where Jack White said that the band will be touring. But he also said that The White Stripes have a film coming out this year, and there are 40 songs on it. 40! I don't know if that's old songs or new songs, but it's something to look forward to for sure. He also said that singer Allison Mosshart is going back out on tour with her other band, The Kills.  These people must have a crazy time synchronizing their band schedules. 

PERRY FARRELL HITS THE BIG FIVE-OH

Wow: Perry Farrell is 50 years old. He celebrated in style, with a "Perry-palooza" concert: he performed with his wife Etty Farrell as Satellite Party, Jane's Addiction played and he even reunited for a two song set with Porno For Pyros. Debbie Harry and Billy Idol and a few other people performed also. Read about it at LAist. 

OH, MIGHTY ISIS

I never heard of Isis before, but I found out about them thanks to the blog Mog.com. They were an all-female funk band born out of the ashes of Goldie & The Gingerbreads (the band that also featured Genya Ravan, now a DJ on Underground Garage). I gotta check them out! 

NINE INCH NAILS' IPHONE APP

Congratulations to Trent Reznor: Apple approved of his Nine Inch Nails iPhone app. Find out more about it here. Wired has been covering the story, read what they had to say about it here. It's just another way that Trent is totally cutting his own path through the his post-major label career. He brings the creativity that fires his music to every aspect of his career, and that's why he will have a career that lasts as long as he wants it to. 

BARACK OBAMA MEETS THE DEAD

Back in the '60s (or even earlier this decade) who would have guessed that former members of The Grateful Dead (now known as The Dead) would get to meet The President of the United States in the Oval Office.  But that's what happened earlier this week. Barack Obama repaid them for their support by meeting with the guys the day of their show. And then, they jammed with special guest drummer/PMRC co-founder Tipper Gore. What a long strange trip, indeed. 

In other Grateful Dead news, and most fans probably know about this, they just released To Terrapin Hartford '77, a live album of what is allegedly one of their greatest shows. They also put out Road Trips Vol. 2 Carousel 2/14/68 (Road Trips has taken the place of the Dick's Picks "bootleg" series).  Also, Pure Jerry, a live recording of Jerry Garcia with bass player John Kahn recorded in San Raphael on 2/28/86. 

HEAR LIVE TRACKS FROM RAPHAEL SAADIQ

An album from 2008 that I really liked was Raphael Saadiq's The Way I See It: it was kind of a tribute to Motown. It was a bummer that it didn't get more attention. You should check it out. And if you like it, check out some live versions of songs from the album at Daytrotter. 

IRON MAIDEN'S FLIGHT 666

Anvil isn't the only metal band with a documentary coming out. Iron Maiden's Flight 666 comes out this week (it will be in theaters for one day thanks to digital distribution) and will be out on DVD soon after. It's a doc from their most recent tour, and I know they interviewed famous and non famous fans. Should be pretty cool. 

PROG ROCK ALERT: "YES" TO TOUR WITH ASIA

Even though the Yes website has no info yet,
an email from Bowery Productions says that Yes and Asia will play Montclair, New Jersey's Welmont Theater on July 29. Double the Steve Howe! I hope he's in good shape. Of course, it is still the Jon Anderson-less version of Yes. I wish they would cut that out already.

In cooler Yes news, drummer Alan White will be performing the music of John Lennon at a benefit concert for Race for the Cure (an organization dedicated to fighting breast cancer) at the Snoqualmie Casino. Yes' Chris Squire will also be there, as will former Yes guitarist/singer/songwriter Trevor Rabin, who left the band in the early '90s. Also in the band, one of my favorite singers, Shawn Smith of Brad! (Alan White was in an early version of John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band, by the way).

TOMORROW ON OUTQ: PRINCE, PETE TOWNSHEND, BOB MOULD AND RECORD STORE DAY

After a week off from The Morning Jolt with Larry Flick on OutQ, I'll be back tomorrow (Wednesday) morning at 9 am ET. Up this week:

Prince's triple album: Lotusflow3r, which is sort of a guitar album, MPLsound, more of a dance thing, and Elixr, the debut by his protege, Bria Valente. Bria is kind of like Sade but not as good. As for the two Prince discs, like most Prince post-Diamonds and Pearls, you have to sort of search through an album to find the gems. It's like that.

Rachel Fuller Presents In The Attic: a 2 CD/1 DVD set you can only get at Best Buy, but it is a bargain at $11.99. As I mentioned, it was recorded at Rachel and boyfriend Pete Townshend's "In The Attic" shows, at small venues during off nights on The Who's tour. It features Pete doing some Who classics solo, Pete dueting with Lou Reed on some Velvet Underground classics, and younger artists like Ben Harper, Rachel Yamagata and Joe Purdy (who I discovered from this set), often backed by Pete.

Bob Mould's new album, Life and Times. I don't always love Bob's stuff lately, but this seems like a cool album. Mould is also writing an autobiography, which should be interesting: Husker Du were on SST during an incredible era, his band Sugar almost got huge, he was a writer for WWE, he's just done some cool stuff.

And finally, Saturday is Record Store Day!

ALICE IN CHAINS: NEW ALBUM FINISHED

Alice In Chains have reported, via thier website, that they have finished work on thier new album, which is their first with new singer William DuVall. As I mentioned before, I have never seen this version of Alice In Chains, but I did see Jerry Cantrell's solo band, which featured DuVall on guitar and vocals, and they did a bunch of AIC songs, and it was awesome. I just don't know how I feel about Alice without Layne Staley.

I've actually been listening to the band lately. Their albums (up until Alice In Chains) were incredible, just so powerful. I've also been listening to the Music Box box set, which has some of their early demos. I think they used to be called "Alice 'N' Chains" (a la Guns N' Roses) and they were kind of a cross between GNR and Van Halen. I think their manager Susan Silver (also Soundgarden's manager, now Chris Cornell's ex-wife) helped steer them in a cooler direction. Also, Dave Jerden, who worked with Jane's Addiction, produced thier debut, Facelift, and gave them a much more muscular sound. But man, listen to Facelift, Sap, Dirt and Jar of Flies, they are all awesome.

GEDDY LEE: JEWISH ATHIEST

Geddy Lee has been doing a lot of press lately, I guess around the Rush Snakes & Arrows Live DVD and the new Rush compilation, Retrospective 3. It's weird -- they've been considered unhip for so long, now people are starting to appreciate them a bit. The fact that they appear in the film I Love You, Man has given them some odd cache. Anyway, there's an interesting interview with Geddy in HEEB magazine, where he discusses his mother's liberation from a Nazi concentration camp, and being a "Jewish athiest." Check it out.

LEVON HELM RETURNS WITH ELECTRIC DIRT

I was surprised to read that Levon Helm is about to release a new album, Electric Dirt. It comes out June 30, about two years after his last release Dirt Farmer. That album is a classic, you should check it out; like that one, Electric Dirt is produced by Larry Campbell, who used to play in Dylan's band.

Levon's story is so incredible: he was suffering from throat cancer, it didn't look good for him, he was out of money, about to lose his farm, and since he didn't write songs for The Band, he didn't have huge royalty checks coming in. He started hosting "Midnight Rambles," parties at his place to raise money to afford another month's mortgage, and they ended up doing so well, he was able to get out of financial trouble, and he's taken his "Rambles" on the road. And his health has improved. I got to see one of his shows at the Beacon Theater, it was really incredible. You should check him out if he comes to your town, and by all means, check out his Dirt records.

REMEMBER THAT FIVE FIGURE JOSH FREESE PACKAGE?

A while ago, I wrote about the different versions of drummer Josh Freese's new album, Since 1972. You could download a bunch of tracks for free. Or you could pay $75,000 for a super deluxe package. I don't think there were any takers for that one, but someone did buy a $20,000 version! Basically, the taker, a 19 year old named Thomas Mrzyglocki, got to hang out with Freese for a week, hang out with other rock stars, and have a great time. Wired has a big article about it, check it out.

BRUCE AND PATTI

It's true, she's "tougher than the rest." Here's a picture of Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa (from Backstreets) that you won't see in New York's biggest swiftboating rag.  But as the great Chuck D said about the rag back in 1991, "Here's a letter to the New York Post. The worst piece of paper on the east coast. It makes no goddamn sense at all. America's oldest continuously published daily piece of bullshit." Well said, my man! 

ZIGGY REMIXES BOB MARLEY FOR KIDS

Billboard reports that Ziggy Marley is remixing some of Bob Marley 's songs with kid-friendly arrangements. It sounds like a weird idea, but there is some cool music out there - The Beatles and Marley being two examples - that are probably great for kids and for parents.  So, I think it's cool. Ziggy is also doing his own children's album, with guests including Paul Simon, Willie Nelson, Jack Johnson and Toots Hibbert. And Jamie Lee Curtis! Don't front on Jamie Lee, she rocks: her husband Christopher Guest is in Spinal Tap! Anyway, there's a pot joke here, but I'll let someone else make it. 

PEARL JAM IN 2009

It's not just about celebrating Ten: Pearl Jam is going to headline San Francisco's Outside Lands festival, and they're rumored to be headlining Austin City Limits as well. And there's reports that they'll be doing a short tour as well. They're also working on their new album with Brendan O'Brien and on a documentary film with Cameron Crowe. It's a good time to be a Pearl Jam fan. 

BILLY CORGAN'S LATEST BLOG POST

Billy Corgan may be many things, but is rarely boring. His latest blog post reveals a lot, including: an explanation why he thinks he should continue on as Smashing Pumpkins even though he is the only founding member, that he is going to form other bands, and also still record solo material. He also talks about his behavior towards fans. If you're fan you probably know about the post, but if you don't, check it out. 

SOUNDGARDEN - ENDED ON THE UPSIDE

I've been listening to a lot of Soundgarden lately. Chris Cornell has been on his latest solo tour, and even though I didn't get tickets to see him in NY or NJ, I've been listening to Soundgarden anyway. They were awesome.  I've always sort of thought that they got better with each album up until Superunknown, and then their swan song, Down On The Upside was almost as good but not quite. I may have to amend that though, having listened to both albums this weekend, they are both awesome. 

One of the cool things about the band is that they were one of the few heavy bands that evolved with each record, and seemed to be making age appropriate records to the end without watering down or pandering. I don't think that their hit singles did either: they were honest, and they were great. There's lots of people hoping that Soundgarden will reunite, and I guess I'd love to see them in concert again (although I never thought they were a great live band back in the day). But I wonder if they could approach the greatness of their albums if they did a full on reunion. 

THE ROLLING STONES RECORDS CATALOG WILL BE REISSUED (AGAIN)

The Rolling Stones announced that they will be reissuing the Rolling Stones Records catalog this year. That means everything starting with when they took control of their career (starting Rolling Stones Records) with the Sticky Fingers album. I remember they reissued that stuff, maybe around the time of Voodoo Lounge in the mid-'90s.  That was when they were being distributed by Virgin, now they have a new deal with Universal.  I don't know what makes these reissues different, I'll try to find out. 

NEIL YOUNG : "A DAY IN THE LIFE"

I wish I loved Neil Young's new album, Fork In The Road. I heard most of the songs last year when he played Madison Square Garden, I didn't love them, and I haven't changed my mind much about them.  It's a topical album and very of the moment, but I don't think it's as good as, say, Living With War.  It's more on the level of Greendale.  I do like the title track, "Get Behind The Wheel" (although it's a rip-off of Tom Waits' "Get Behind The Mule") and "Light A Candle." But if you get the CD/DVD version of Fork, the DVD has Neil's live cover of The Beatles ' "A Day In The Life." It's very ragged and glorious, and worth the extra two or three bucks. 

THE FAB TWO

Last weekend, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr shared the stage for the first time since the George Harrison tribute concert, and for the first time in America since The Beatles last performed here (actually, I seem to remember Ringo joining Paul onstage in the early '90s, but I could be wrong). Supposedly a mind-blowing show. Paul also performed a super-rare song that he's never even properly released.  Plus, Ben Harper, Eddie Vedder, Sheryl Crow and the rest of the performers were great. Everyone from Howard Stern to Papa Bear Bill O'Reilly enjoyed it. A friend of mine was there and said that they shot everything, so here's hoping it will be out on DVD so it can raise more funds for David Lynch 's foundation. 

THE ROOTS NEW ALBUM

The Roots keep busy!  They are the band for the Jimmy Fallon show, they do a weekly jam session in NYC, they are organizing their annual picnic (where they will perform with Public Enemy - I can't go, I already have tickets for the Nine Inch Nails/Jane's Addiction show that day), they're going to be on the Rock The Bells tour, and they have a new album coming out. Black Thought tells XXL magazine that How I Got Over will be out in June. 

BOBBY WOMACK TO WORK WITH GORILLAZ?

Damon Albarn of blur has done some interesting stuff with his other bands Gorillaz and The Good The Bad And The Queen, and those groups tend to collaborate with interesting artists (everyone from de la soul to Ginger Baker). Now, newly minted Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bobby Womack says he may work with Gorillaz on their next album.  I thought that they kind of retired that project, but if it brings Bobby Womack to a larger audience, then great. 

THE SPECIALS REUNION FOOTAGE

The Daily Swarm has posted footage of The Specials performing on the great UK TV show Later With Jools Holland. They look and sound cool, it's too bad that they just can't bury the hatchet with Jerry Dammers.  

AMOEBA RECORDS PRESENTS "WHAT'S IN YOUR BAG?"

I've heard a lot about the great record store Amoeba, but I've never been there. It may be a bit too snobby/hipster for me, but we can all agree that cool independent record stores are great. Their web site has this cool feature, "What's In Your Bag?" where musicians talk about what they bought that day.  This one with Dave Grohl is pretty cool.  And don't forget to support independent record stores on Record Store Day. 

HOW DOES METALLICA'S HAIR EFFECT THEIR MUSIC?

The blog The Gauntlet has a graph showing how Metallica's albums are received by fans, and compares that to their hair length on each album. It's funny, but the guy has a point.