Davidgreenwald's Journals

Weezer's 'Pork and Beans' Video Drops, Aligns YouTube Stars

If you've been helping him write a sawng, you know Rivers Cuomo loves YouTube. But as guitarist Scott Shriner recently revealed to Buzznet, Weezer's video for first single "Pork and Beans" takes the band's viral obsession to a new level.

As if "Pork and Beans" weren't already awesome enough, the video (which dropped on YouTube this morning) features cameos from "Rain"-man Tay Zonday, emotional Britney Spears defender Chris Crocker, "Shoes" singer Kelly (OMG!) and even Kevin Federline â�” bopping his head along to the band's latest jam. And that's not all ... It kicks off iSight style, with the band rocking out for their laptop cameras before three minutes of hitting the YouTube LOL-jackpot â�” managing to make fun of All Your Base Are Belong To Us, overdubbed "G.I. Joe" clips, the Soulja Boy dance and the Star Wars Kid â�” and that's barely scratching the surface.

Starting way back with "Buddy Holly," the Weezer music video tradition is unquestionable, but this might be the greatest of all. Fitting for a band whose new album has a track called "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations on a Shaker Hymn)" (which Shriner called Weezer's "Bohemian Rhapsody" [The famous Queen track]). As previously reported, the The Red Album is due June 3 (check out the track list), pushed up from its original June 24 date, perhaps in response to the bulk of the album leaking online.

While you're at it, don't miss these related videos:

Weezer introduce "Pork and Beans":

On the set of the video:

A new dance revolution?

-David Greenwald

Destroyer Obliterate SoCal but Don't Get Wasted

WEST HOLLYWOOD, California â�“ It's good to be Dan Bejar. The Destroyer frontman was in great spirits last night, but not "those" spirits. [cut=Read more.] The last time I saw him, opening for the New Pornographers, one of several groups he moonlights in, he had a new beer in hand every time he walked onstage. He only brought two out (a Budweiser and a Stella Artois, if you're wondering) for his sold-out show at the Troubadour, and he didn't seem to need them.

Bejar and his band tore through a 90-minute set with the energy of a group on its first tour, not an act that's released eight albums in the last 12 years. But the Destroyer lineup has shifted over the years, with the current group the same band that played on 2006's excellent Rubies and this year's nearly as great, Trouble in Dreams. That may have been a reason for Bejar's liveliness â�“ he even joked about Hall & Oates, who are playing the Troub later this week â�“ but it certainly wasn't the only one, not with new songs like "The State" and "Dark Leaves From a Thread" to jam on.

Destroyer play a jangly, melodic brand of indie rock that draws equally on Bob Dylan's impenetrable lyricism and David Bowie's flair for the dramatic, and all of the band's influences were on display in a career-spanning set that covered half of Trouble in Dreams ("My Favorite Year" and ballad "Foam Hands" were highlights); Rubies' epic title track; and sprinklings of older albums: "Hey, Snow White," from 2002's, This Night, closed the band's set, while â�œCertain Things You Ought to Know," from 2004's synth-based, Your Blues, opened the encore.

[Click picture to view full gallery]

All in all, a raucous, electrifying set from a band that's been revitalized in recent years. Not that Bejar's ever been less than great, but it was refreshing to see the notoriously curmudgeonly performer embrace both his new material and, more importantly, his fans.

-David Greenwald[/cut]

Notorious B.I.G. Lawsuit Reinstated; Biopic Due Next Year

The mysterious death of the Notorious B.I.G. has left a long shadow over the hip-hop community since he was gunned down in 1997 at only 24 years old. But 11 years later, the search for the larger-than-life rapper's killers continues: reversing an earlier ruling that would've dismissed the case, a Los Angeles judge has reinstated his family's wrongful-death lawsuit.

The suit targets two former police officers allegedly involved in a plot to kill B.I.G., born Christopher Wallace, and is one of two filed on behalf of his mother, wife and two children. The ruling comes in the wake of a March 21 decision to throw out the case due to a missed deadline, which the family appealed. The first suit, filed in 2002, ended in a 2005 mistrial though the case remains open on the strength of new evidence.

Meanwhile, the rapper remains as successful posthumously as ever, with last year's Greatest Hits bowing at the #1 spot on the Billboard 200 despite missing signature hits "Mo Money, Mo Problems" and "Sky's the Limit." He's also the latest musical figure to get the biopic treatment, with a film due on Fox Searchlight next year. The Diddy-produced movie will star rapper Jamal "Gravy" Woolard, who was chosen after an unsuccessful open casting call failed to find an actor who could fill Biggie's considerable shoes.

-David Greenwald

Robyn Plays 'The View,' Postpones Pacific Northwest Shows

Time was, bands like Vampire Weekend and Spoon only canceled shows to play on "Saturday Night Live." But when "The View" comes calling, you don't say no. [cut=Take a closer look.]

Like The Moldy Peaches before her, Swedish electro-pop export Robyn will take the stage of the morning chatfest, appearing with Barbara, Whoopi and the rest as the musical guest on May 15. Unfortunately she's knocking off a pair of dates from her too-brief national tour to do it, postponing her Tuesday show at Portland, Oregon's Berbati's Pan and a night at the city's Neumos venue on May 14.

West Coasters can still catch her in San Francisco and Los Angeles, but barring that, you'll have to catch Robyn's British Invasion in, well, Britain. With blog love from Perez Hilton and Stereogum, it probably won't be long till she makes another round, but we Yanks have some catching up to do anyway: the "Konichiwa B----es" singer's self-titled album finally arrived stateside last week after a three-year delay. Check it out â�“ your dancing shoes will thank you.

Robyn tour dates:

5.7: Chicago, IL @ Park West
5.10: London, England @ Mote Park (Radio 1's Big Weekend)
5.16: San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo's
5.17: Los Angeles, CA @ Wiltern Theatre
6.6: Glasgow, Scotland @ The Arches
6.7: Birmingham, England @ Carling Academy
6.8: London, England @ Astoria
6.10: Manchester, England @ Academy 2
6.11: Norwich, England @ UEA
6.12: Bristol, England @ Carling Academy
7.20: Western-super-mare, England @ T4 on the Beach
7.25: Wiltshire, England @ Perfect Day Festival

Don't miss Robyn's recent "Konichiwa" video:

[Click on picture to view the video]

And while you're at it, don't miss Buzznet's recent interview with Robyn, in which she says she feels "happy not being famous."[/cut]

Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd Announce Southern-Rockiest Tour Ever

Remember when Kid Rock used to rap? It seems that Pamela Anderson's second-most-famous ex has left his "Bawitdaba" days far behind him, embracing a Southern-rock sound on last year's chart-topping Rock N Roll Jesus. Now he'll get a chance to spread the guitar gospel with the guys who invented it: Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Lynyrd Skynyrd. [cut=Keep goin']

Better stock up on lighters for the pair's August "Rock and Rebels" tour, which will almost certainly end every night with an epic 20-minute version of "Freebird." If that's not American badass, I don't know what it is.

The classic-rock icons will open for Rock, who will be backed on tour by the 11-piece Twisted Brown Trucker Band. The Truckers will also join him on "The Late Show With David Letterman" on May 14 to perform Rock's latest single, "All Summer Long." Sure doesn't sound like a guy who used to write rhymes, but Rock's rapping roots may catch up to him yet: He's working on side project with Run DMC's Reverend Run and plans to make the Jesus follow-up a hip-hop album (gulp).

Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd "Rock and Rebels" tour dates:

8.8: Oklahoma City, OK @ Zoo Amphitheater
8.9: Houston, TX @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
8.14: Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center
8.16: Indianapolis, IN @ Verizon Wireless Music Center
8.22: Camden, NJ @ Susquehanna Bank Center
8.23: Mansfield, MA @ Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts
8.25: Toronto, Ontario @ Molson Amphitheatre
8.30: Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center
8.31: Hartford, CT @ New England Dodge Music Center

-David Greenwald
[/cut]

Ludacris Acts Out on September's 'Theater of the Mind'

With roles in "Crash" and "Fred Claus," it's no secret that Atlanta rapper Ludacris has a way with the movies. Even now, the pint-size MC is in the middle of shooting "Max Payne," an adaptation of the criminal-minded video game where he'll star alongside Mark Wahlberg. [cut=Get the scoop.]

In October, he'll appear as Roman in Guy Ritchie's latest, "RocknRolla, "and has a third film, "Balls Don't Lie," slated to debut at the Tribeca Film Festival. Luckily he hasn't forgotten the rap game: His cinematic sixth LP, Theater of the Mind, will drop in September on Def Jam.

No pressure, Luda: 2006's Release Therapy won multiple Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Album and Best Rap Song for "Money Maker," and also saw him debuting a new haircut. Think he'll grow his braids back for this one?

According to Billboard, Theater will include the new track "Let's Stay Together," produced by DJ Paul of Three 6 Mafia, and will also feature production credits from Dre & Vidal, 9th Wonder, Ice Drake and DJ Don Cannon.

That's not all: "I'd like to work with Eminem," he told EW.com earlier this year. The rapper may get his rock on as well, with EW.com also reporting that Paris Hilton-dating pop-punkers Good Charlotte will make a guest appearance on the album. If that makes you hungry for more, the Luda-of-all-trades is opening an Asian fusion restaurant, Straits, in Atlanta later this year. Hope they serve popcorn.

-David Greenwald [/cut]

Bloc Party Working on Album Number 3, Heading Back on the Road

The edgy indie Englishmen of Bloc Party are bringing their angular guitars back to the States for a summer tour. [cut=Read!]

The band is currently in the studio crafting the follow-up to last year's A Weekend in the City, which drummer Matt Tong told Paste will be a back-to-basics effort after City's textured approach: "The third studio incarnation of Bloc is going to be a bit like the rawer earlier Bloc, but with experience."

They'll have plenty of chances to build some character this summer, when their brief run will include a pair of festival stops at Chicago's Lollapalooza, where they'll join Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine and Kayne West, and Baltimore's Virgin Mobile Festival, where they'll grace the stage with the Foo Fighters, Jack Johnson and Bob Dylan (!). Talk about good company.

If that's not enough, Bloc Party scored three nominations for their song "Flux" at the recent NME Awards but lost out to The Wombats (Best Dancefloor Filler) and the Arctic Monkeys (Best Video, Best Track). The Wombats!? Only in the U.K., kids.

Bloc Party U.S. tour dates:

7.28: Pomona, CA @ Glass House
7.29: Los Angeles, CA @ Mayan Theatre
7.30: San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore
8.1: Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza
8.5: Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts
8.6: New York, NY @ Webster Hall
8.7: New York, NY @ Webster Hall
8.9: Baltimore, MD @ Virgin Mobile Festival

- David Greenwald
[/cut]

Fiery Furnaces Tour, Give Us 51 Reasons to 'Remember'

Experimental-pop duo, The Fiery Furnaces, are notorious for changing up their studio material live, often turning their thickly-orchestrated tunes into sprinting keyboard-driven medleys. Those unlucky (or lucky, depending on your tolerance for a band that made an album with their Grandma) enough to miss the Furnaces on tour will have a couple opportunities to remedy that this summer.

The brother-sister band is releasing a 51-track, 2-disc live album, entitled Remember, as well as bringing their quirky sibling-rock back on the road. Culled from recordings made starting in 2005, Remember (out August 19 on Thrill Jockey) will include songs from the group's whole discography, including the epic 8-minute title track from 2004's Blueberry Boat and summer jam "Tropical Ice-Land" from their 2003 debut, Gallowsbird's Bark.

Remember track list:

Disc one:

"Intro"
"Blueberry Boat"
"Single Again"
"Two Fat Feet"
"Don't Dance Her Down"
"Single Again (Reprise)"
"Wicker Whatnots"
"Little Thatched Hut"
"I'm in No Mood"
"Black-Hearted Boy"
"Bitter Tea"
"Waiting to Know You"
"Vietnamese Telephone Ministry"
"Oh Sweet Woods"
"Borneo"
"Benton Harbor Blues
"Japanese Slippers"
"Benton Harbor Blues (Reprise)"
"Whistle Rhapsody"
"Crystal Clear"
"Whistle Rhapsody (Reprise)"
"Teach Me Sweetheart"
"Evergreen"
"Bitter Tea (Reprise)"

Disc two:

"Chris Michaels"
"Quay Cur"
"My Dog Was Lost But Now He's Found"
"Spaniolated"
"Name Game"
"Birdie Brain"
"1917"
"Slavin' Away (Intro)"
"Tropical Ice-land"
"Asthma Attack"
"Tropical Ice-land (Reprise)"
"The Wayward Granddaughter"
"The Garfield El"
"A Candymaker's Knife in My Handbag"
"Forty-Eight Twenty-Three Twenty-Second St."
"Slavin' Away"
"Seven Silver Curses"
"Clear Signal From Cairo"
"I'm Gonna Run"
"Here Comes the Summer"
"Chief Inspector Blancheflower"
"Automatic Husband"
"Ex-Guru"
"Clear Signal From Cairo (Reprise)"
"Philadelphia Grand Jury"
"Navy Nurse"
"Uncle Charlie"

Fiery Furnaces U.S. Tour Dates:
5.02: Minneapolis, MN @ Whole Music Club
5.17: Bennington, VT @ Bennington College
5.28: Sacramento, CA @ Harlow's Night Club
5.29: San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
5.30: Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland
5.31: Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland
6.1: Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up Tavern
6.2: Pomona, CA @ The Glass House
6.3: Tucson, AZ @ Plush Room
6.5: Aspen, CO @ Belly Up
6.6: Boulder, CO @ Fox Theatre
6.7: Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater
6.9: Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room
6.10: Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews
6.11: Kansas City, MO @ The Record Bar
6.12: St Louis, MO @ The Pageant
6.13-15: Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo

- David Greenwald

Boris to 'Smile' on North American Tour

Japanese psych-metal juggernauts Boris will bring their unique brand of fuzzed-out guitar epics to North America this summer, with a tour kicking off June 24 following two months of European dates. [cut=More!] The tour includes stops at the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago, where they'll join such indie favorites as Spoon and Dinosaur Jr., and at Denton, Texas, venue Rubber Gloves, which is owned by a dude who got his ear bitten off at a Boris show. That's dedication.

It'll be the tireless band's second American outing in less than a year: You may have caught them blowing minds and shattering eardrums with Michio Kurihara last October, in support of last year's surprisingly mellow Rainbow. Boris' latest goes by another cuddly title, Smile, but I hear it's wee bit heavier than that Brian Wilson album. Smile drops this Tuesday on Southern Lord.

Boris U.S. tour dates:

6.24: San Diego, CA @ Casbah
6.25: Tempe, AZ @ The Clubhouse
6.27: Denton, TX @ Rubber Gloves
6.28: Austin, TX - The Mohawk
6.29: San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
7.1: Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon
7.2: Gainesville, FL @ Common Grounds
7.3: Orlando, FL @ The Social
7.5: Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
7.6: Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle
7.8: Washington, DC @ Black Cat
7.9: Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church
7.10: New York, NY @ Webster Hall
7.11: Cambridge, MA @ The Middle East
7.15: Buffalo, NY @ Tralf
7.16: Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
7.17: Pittsburgh, PA @ Diesel
7.18: Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall
7.19: Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall
7.20: Chicago, IL @ Union Park
7.22: Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room
7.23: Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theatre
7.25: Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater
7.26: Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
7.29: Seattle, WA @ Neumo's

- David Greenwald
[/cut]

Shearwater Flying High; Taking 'Rook' on Tour

You might say Shearwater are for the birds: Frontman Jonathan Meiburg is an ornithologist when he's not offering up Jeff Buckley-esque vocal warblings, and the Austin, Texas, indie band's upcoming album, Rook, is named after a type of crow. [cut=Onward!]

Rook is due June 3 via Matador and is Shearwater's second release for the label following last year's expanded edition of the moody, melodramatic Palo Santo. Judging by the new tunes on their MySpace, the band's got another winner in store, but you'll be able to judge for yourself: Shearwater will be winging their way to a club near you this summer when they head out on a headlining East Coast tour.

Shearwater U.S. tour dates:

6.13: Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
6.14: Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506
6.15: Washington DC @ The Black Cat
6.17: Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brendaâ�™s
6.19: Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
6.21: Danbury, CT @ Heirloom Arts Theatre
6.24: Chicago, IL @ The Mansion
6.27: Fort Worth, TX @ Lolaâ�™s
6.28: Austin, TX @ The Mohawk

You can also get a bird's-eye-view at some earlier dates in support of U.K. fuzz-rockers Clinic, whose own set of new jams, Do It!, got a solid review from Buzznet.

Clinic U.S. tour dates:

5.9: Boston, MA @ Paradise
5.10: Montreal, QC @ La Scala Rossa
5.11: Toronto, ON @ Lee's Palace
5.12: Chicago, IL @ The Empty Bottle
5.13: Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
5.14: Fargo, ND @ Aquarium
5.16: Seattle, WA @ Neumo's
5.17: Vancouver, BC @ Richard's On Richards
5.18: Portland, OR @ Doug Fir
5.19: San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
5.20: Los Angeles, CA @ The Troubadour

- David Greenwald [/cut]