RIP John Peel
The legendary BBC Radio 1 DJ, the incomparable John Peel, has passed away at the age of 65. In our deadened age of Top 40 pre-programmed radio and slack-ass/hipster/jaded-as-cool college radio, it was comforting to know there was a radio broadcaster of such stature who really cared about music. DJs and music fans alike would do well to contemplate the impact John Peel had on underground music, as well as to dwell on the fact that, some forty years into his career, he was still so passionate about music - especially new music, and the music itself - not the scene, the hype, or the tawdry b.s. that surrounds it - is what mattered to him. We at Copper Press are humbled by his passing. RIP, John Peel.
The Fast>Future>Present is now as Denton, TX band tours UK.
Denton, TX's Mandarin, barely home three weeks after a successful East Coast tour debut, tonight begins a tour of the United Kingdom with Polyphonic Spree. The multitudinous-membered group, in all its shiny-robed splendor, saw fit to ask Mandarin to open for them in Europe. See our Tour page for dates.
From the influential publication, The Wire on the band’s new album, Fast>Future>Present: "Heavy on the basslines with sharply drawn guitar patterns, the variegated funkiness of Mandarin, from Denton, Texas, is topped off with Jayson Wortham’s jaggedly assured vocals. A scattering of influences have been streamlined into tightly focused songs, with a keen sense of melody and an impressive grasp of agitated, Gang of Four-style rhythms. The group’s combustible energy is released in sharp bursts of activity, with their supple compactness allowing for an intermitten overspill of shredded, overdriven rock noise. The surface activity belies a robust understanding and adaptation of more traditional blues and soul-delivered dynamics, which are overtly expressed on the subdued closing track, “The Gift of Not Living.””
This ain’t no pleasure chariot, though the music is good.
Minneapolis foursome Volante is after it again, hitting the road for yet another tour, their third of 2004 in support of Static Until Sunrise, the band’s raucous yet melodic new album. This time, the band takes to the East Coast and Midwest. Plans are already being laid for a West Coast tour in January 2005. See our Tour section for their East Coast dates.
Seattle still doesn't know what to do with a band like this.
Seattle's outcast noise-rocker trio The Building Press is preparing two new songs for a 7" to be released on CurtainCall Music (formerly 404 Records). These songs will appear - possibly in a different form, possibly as is - on the band's follow-up to Young Money, the group’s confoundingly brilliant sophomore album.
Ascetic Records is all abuzz with tour news.
Traindodge tours Midwest w/Riddle of Steel
Despite cost efficiency, bands eschew locomotion for stinky vans.
Hot on the heels of the release of The Truth - a double-CD whose 'best moments are pretty exhilarating" according to Adequacy.net, Oklahoma City’s Traindodge will be touring in October, playing most of their shows with Riddle of Steel. In fact, Traindodge drummer Rob Smith will literally be playing all of Riddle of Steel’s shows, as he is their new drummer.
Jason Ferguson, writing in The Orlando Weekly, feels "(The Truth) is the Expansive Double Album by a Punk Band that I always expected from Jawbox, but never got." Or, you can read a Copper Press dot com review here.
The Frequency to tour
Have The Frequency, will travel – but not by Trans Am
Trans Am drummer Sebastian Thomson is a busy cat. Last week, he was in Benton Harbor, MI, recording a new record with Weird War; he’s their new drummer. This Friday, the band he fronts, The Frequency, will embark upon a nine-date tour of the East Coast, Midwest, and Canada, where at stops they will happen upon the likes of Stylex, Apollo Up! (www.apolloup.com), Racebannon, Explosions in the Sky, and others. See our tour section for dates.
31knots' Japanese Tour
After a wildly successful 2003, which saw them tour the
US and Europe, the Portland, OR trio has laid low, hard at work on
the follow up to
the critically-acclaimed It Was High Time to Escape (54º40’ or
Fight!). The result? An EP entitled The Curse of the Longest Day will
be released
on the Japanese label Stiff Slack (stiffslack.com) and will coincide
with a tour of Japan. Stiff Slack has released records by Shiner, National
Skyline,
The Mercury Program, Thumbnail, Aspera, Michael Nace, and a talent
roster of Japanese artists.
BoySkout flees to the road for five weeks of shows
Is there a merit badge for touring?
After a false start on their initial attempt at a US tour, the all-female San Franciscan foursome BoySkout is hitting the road for five weeks of shows. When BoySkout was forced to scrap their spring tour because a member suddenly quit the band, the NYC band regrouped, moved a few thousand miles back home to San Francisco, and found themselves replenished with two new members.
Undaunted, they're setting forth again on their first US tour, which begins with a few dates with Kissing Tigers on the West Coast before the band darts to the Midwest to play Bloomington Fest (uh, that’s in Bloomington, IN), and then onto the East Coast to romp around in their old playground. But the fun doesn’t stop there. No sir. BoySkout will point their van back toward the Midwest, where they’ll be for a week before cruising home by 9.25.04. Due to a last-minute routing change, 9.15 – 9.19 are open for the moment. That will change. Or maybe they’ll just head for the woods to practice starting campfires by rubbing sticks into piles of bark, or to practice applying tubes of Vick’s Vapo-Rub to each other in preparation for a career in caring for the infirm or merely chest-congested.
Friends of Copper Press need your help
Arson really fucking blows, people
Good friend of Copper Press, Scott Giampino (whom some of you may know from his band, Cash Audio, and from when he worked as publicist at Touch & Go, or because he is incredibly tall), his wife, Ali (a booking agent at Billions Corp.), and their young son, Max, were victims of arson at their Lake Forest Park home in Seattle on 8.05.04. The following was forwarded to us. Please consider making a donation to help them get back on their feet. Scott is one of the coolest, nicest, most genuine guys (and sly shittalkers) we know. He and Ali are dedicated to the world of music, and it is times like these where the music world should do something to give something back.
“ Shortly before 1 am, Ali awoke to sounds of broken glass and fire engulfing their home. Blessedly, they and their son Max escaped unharmed in what must have been an absolutely terrifying couple of minutes. Their two cats, their possessions, and their home did not fare as well - they have lost virtually everything.
They are fully insured and will eventually be able to replace their lost possessions. In the meantime, an account has been set up at U.S. Bank and donations are currently being accepted. The account is called “The Giampino Fund” and you may make donations at any local branch. Please reference account #153556105382 when doing so. And, for added reference, the account was established by Denise Maupin ˆ you may need to give that information to the teller, but the account name should suffice.
Temporary housing accommodations have been arranged and the Capitol Hill branch of Sonic Boom Records is also currently accepting donations. Since they are without a home, the most useful donations are monetary, gift certificates, and good thoughts. Max could sure use some clothing ˆ he wears a size 4T or 5T (like his daddy, he‚s big for his age). Toys and books would be useful, as well. The little guy is down with Clifford The Big Red Dog, Tonka trucks, and stuff that is cool. Seeing that little bug on the news was enough to make me want to buy him Disneyland if he wants it.
This fire has officially been declared an arson and agents from the
Washington Insurance Council, the Arson Alarm Foundation and the ATF are offering a $38,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the parties responsible for the fires. Anyone with information should call 1-800-55ARSON.”
Frenchkiss to release new albums by The Bloodthirsty Lovers and Turing Machine
Some labels have all the damn luck
Frenchkiss, a NYC-based label run by Les Savy Fav-member Syd Butler, is set to release two albums ripe with indie lore this fall. The Bloodthirsty Lovers, the newest project from Dave Shouse (formerly of The Grifters and Those Bastard Souls), will see their LP, The Delicate Seam, released on 10.05.04. Former Pitchblende (one of the more underrated and more rockin’ post-Sonic Youth guitar bands of the ‘90s) guitarist Justin Chearno (who also kicked up sonic dust in Doldrums (releases on VHF and Kranky) and is a member of Panthers) is a member of Turing Machine, a name that may ring distantly familiar to you from those times you thumbed through the Jade Tree catalog and wondered, “Who the hell is Turing Machine?” before buying a CD with “name recognition.” Time to get educated, hipster. Zwei will be released 10.26.04.
Les Messieurs du Rock set to begin 2nd leg of US Tour
Teresa Heinz Kerry reported to have uttered, “They’re not European. I’m European!”
Austin’s faux-French lads Les Messieurs du Rock will be embarking upon the second leg of their summer-long US tour, with this stretch lasting from 8.13 through 9.15. They’ll see the heartland, then book it to the East Coast, cruise down I-95 and I-85 to points southerly, before bolting back home. Sounds like fun…
Les Messieurs du Rock
US Tour continued…
8.13 Oklahoma City OK The Conservatory
8.14 Omaha NE Oleavers
8.15 Kansas City MO The Hurricane
8.17 Des Moines IA Vaudeville Mews
8.19 Oshkosh WI Lizard Lounge
8.20 Kalamazoo MI Kraftbrau
8.21 Grand Rapids MI The D.A.A.C.
8.22 Chicago IL Bottom Lounge
8.24 Lansing MI Mac's Bar
8.26 Jersey City NJ Uncle Joe's
8.27 Brooklyn NY North Six
8.28 Providence RI as220
8.31 New Haven CT Café Nine
9.01 Washington DC Velvet Lounge w/Gist, Kissing Tigers
9.02 Wilmington NC Soapbox Laundro-lounge
9.03 Myrtle Beach SC Lime Light
9.04 Mt. Pleasant SC Village Tavern
9.07 Asheville NC Vincent's Ear
9.08 Knoxville TN Pilot Light
9.09 Atlanta GA Drunken Unicorn
9.10 Nashville TN 5 Spot
More dates TBD.
Copper Press expands mail-order distribution.
Over 50 new titles now available!
In keeping with our mission of exposing music and art we dig, we’ve expanded
Backlit Distribution so we can now sell said music and art. Distribution is a
cold-hearted bitch, to put it bluntly, and the albums you’ll fin in the
Backlit series are hard to find in the US in most cases. We figured there’s
a synergy in being able to offer music by the artists we feature in the magazine.
We don’t feature them in order to better sell their wares – let’s
not be so cynical and jaded about the process. We feature these artists and musicians
because we love what they do. We also recognize a need to help them get their
music to the market, and if we can aid them, we think it is our duty to do so.
Many online publications have links to web commerce sites where one can buy the
album whose review one just read; we take it a step further by offering the opportunity
to purchase titles by that artist – and others – without leaving
the site. If you prefer, you can also order directly from the artist or their
label. We’re fine with that. Just so long as you investigate new music,
new art, we’re happy. Happy browsing!
The Building Press Constructs Another Tour
Young Money reinvested in sonic infrastructure of US venue scene
Seattle's prog-power trio, The Building Press will embark upon their second six-week (actually, this one is seven weeks) US tour of 2004 on 7.19 (in Missoula,
with Xiu Xiu). They play a send-off party of sorts tonight at Graceland in
Seattle, then will spend tomorrow packing and caressing their loved ones
before jamming themselves into their van and spilling out onto America's
highways for seven-weeks of good, wholesome activity and proper nutrition.
Denver's Alt-weekly, the Westword, wrote this of The Building Press before
one of their back-to-back shows there in in April: "Nagging itches, deep
bruises, a fibula-cracking cramp in your calf muscle that wakes you up
screaming in the middle of the night: Such are the metaphors for the music
of the Building Press. For the past few years, this Seattle-based outfit has
put the "ow" in power trio, and its sophomore release, Young Money, offers
no respite. The seven songs on the album might as well represent deadly
sins, wonders of the world or the layers of skin you're going to lose
listening to them; the opening cut alone ("It's Probably Just You") packs an
entire record collection's worth of moods, textures and genres into its
gangling, disjointed frame. Post-hardcore and free jazz figure prominently
in the mix, as does a dose of math rock - only contorted with a lopsided
algebra that'll send your inner ear into a tailspin. Riding on top of the
whole shambling contraption are the vocals of guitarist A.P. Schroder, whose
gurgling-in-tongues voice sounds alternately sloshed and prophetic. If you
can handle a walloping compound of Don Caballero and Laddio Bolocko punched
up with some Led Zeppelin immensity, this is all you." - Jason Heller
Yeah, they're that good.
JOAN OF ARC - Leaving Jade Tree, Joining Polyvinyl
In the corporate world, this is considered a “lateral move”
Yes you have heard correct, Tim Kinsellas’ Joan Of Arc will be releasing their next record with Polyvinyl Records. The new album, entitled Joan of Arc, Dick Cheney, Mark Twain, will be released 8.10.04 on formats that include the compact disc as well as the double-LP. Also available on the Polyvinyl website is a tell-all biography of JOA that explains many decisions and as includes some fun facts. An audio cassette/CD of the bio, narrated by a warbling bird, is also in the works. Be in with the new, folks!
The Building Press tour update
New dates galore confirmed on their seven-week jaunt
The Building Press, just eleven days into their forty-nine date US tour, have
confirmed several more shows along the way. The newest dates are listed
below:
8.07 Hartford, CT House show (w/Strike the Colors)
8.18 Wichita, KS John Barleycorn’s
8.19 Des Moines, IA Vaudeville Mews
8.20 Denver, CO Climax Lounge
8.23 San Luis Obispo, CA The Dwelling w/Volante
8.25 Long Beach, CA The Prospector w/TheDaysEnd
9.02 San Francisco, CA Hemlock Tavern
9.03 Oakland, CA iMusicast
For a full listing of the tour, please visit the tour
page.
No Joie de vivre in France as Armstrong captures 6th Tour de France title.
On final day, riders blitzkrieg into Paris, encircling it easily.
Belated congratulations are in order to Lance Armstrong and Team Postal for his and their dominating performance at le Tour de France 2004. None of you will know this, but Royce was once a competitive cyclist, and we both are fans of the sport. The discipline, strength, skill, camaraderie, and courage of these riders – especially the 140 or so that finished the grueling three-week, twenty-stage race – is admirable. Expect profiles on many of these riders in Copper Press over the next few years. Bicycling has become a renewed passion here at Team Copper Press. Team Copper Press… yes… very interesting… Anyone wanna come race for us?
Pelican - Flying Heavy to Europe
Loud guitars resemble sound of Luftwaffe; French surrender at ticket windows. Chirac abdicates to the Sudan.
Chicago’s Pelican will be airborne this summer – in a plane – traveling to Europe for a lineup of dates that Americans and Europeans should definitely not miss.
Xiu Xiu to Capitalize the “X” in America
Body by Jamie workout workshops being scheduled. Call for details.
Yours Truly, Xiu Xiu is now packing their bags of protein powder for a US tour in support of the freshest Xiu Xiu album yet - Fabulous Muscles. Watch Out: Jamie Stewart is coming to a town near you, and he’s pumped!
Aloha News Brief
Aloha means, “I love you”
For all of you eager Aloha fans,
sleep easier tonight knowing Aloha has been hard at work on their next full-length
recording. The recording will transpire at both Inner Ear and Silver Sonya throughout
the rest of this sweet summer of 2004. The Alotians are at present adding their
delicate flair to the recording and the album is expected to be finished towards
the end of July (take note, very soon). Polyvinyl (
www.polyvinylrecords.com ) has stated that the new album will see release date
sometime this October.
The Dillinger Escape Plan Hates the Dark
Tours country, gets all stupid in the dubbing their tour
Math-Metal, Relapse recording artist The Dillinger Escape Plan has announced upcoming tour dates in support of their new full-length release Miss Machine, out 7.20.04.
THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN will slam down the road thrashing everything in its path, and yes, this is a headlining tour that will be kicked off 7.18.04 in Baltimore, Maryland. Cleverly titled the "F$#king With The Lights On" tour, the four week fornication is scheduled to come to a sad end on 8.17.04 in New York City. But fret not – and leave the light on, har har - for additional dates are pending, so a second dose of T.D.E.P. could quite possibly be heading your way.
Le Tour de Les Messieurs du Rock
French government hopes it distracts media attention from France’s role in UN Oil-for-Food scandal. Wait- what media attention?
Austin’s own smarmy gaggle of faux-Frenchmen, Les Messieurs du Rock embark today upon the first leg of a US tour that will span two months. Their debut draws comparisons like this: James Chance meets James Brown meets Ian Svenonius, and they all get down while wearing bad moustaches. Sacre bleu!
CP20 is now available for purchase in our online store. Go
get you some.
Indie Vets to Fight Battles on Home Turf
Everybody was finger-tapping; their hands were fast as lightning.
Remember! Nothing says indie rock like a super-group! And even though we all say indie rock is about the music, we all know it’s really driven by the hype. So go on; get you some Battles. Everyone else already has gotten theirs. Prove that you are better than your friends by seeing Battles first. But know this: You may be better than your friends, but you’ll never be better than the critics.
Engine Down Signs to Bigger Indie, Plans More Tours
We’re all just shocked. Shocked.
Engine Down recently announced they signed with Lookout! Records so they can tour more with Ted Leo and learn ways to become a better vegan, and, therefore, persons. Their spurned label, the hard-working indie, Lovitt ( www.lovitt.com ), gets to spend a lot of money on releasing the vinyl version of ED’s forthcoming self-titled major-indie debut. Engine Down was able to spend over a month in the studio with Brian McTernan making the new record. A month! We bet it’ll have strings on it. Now you can’t just go about releasing a record without a supporting tour, so look for Engine Down in a city near you.
Gary Young's Hospital to tour East Coast
Nurse Ratchet signs on as roadie
Pavement's gonzo drummer, Gary Young (the "one of these things is not like
the other" lookin' dude in the band of otherwise chiseled jawbones of the
young lads from Stockton, CA) - the one who left to pursue obscurity - has
returned with another album fronting his band, Hospital. Omnibus Records
(www.omnibusrecords.com) just released The Grey Album, and to support it,
Young and his cohorts will be taking their tunes to the East Coast for a
little over a week, beginning today. See the tour section for details.
