Incubus has broken new visual ground as the first musical artist to use the state of the art digital filmmaking that created Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. Their just released concert DVD, Morning View Sessions, documents a live studio session from October of last year and utilizes Sony’s CineAlta 24P production system, a digital video technology that records at 24-frames per second, comparable in quality to 35mm film. Recorded in 5.1 surround sound, this Immortal Records release is filled with other bonus material like lyrics, backstage footage and a photo gallery. The band can currently be found nationally headlining Honda’s Civic Tour through July 4… Also dabbling deeper into the cinematic arts are Josh Homme and Nick Oliveri of Queens Of The Stone Age, as they’ve produced the majority of the soundtrack for the upcoming film The Dangerous Lives of Alter Boys. Alongside a Stephen Stills and Canned Heat track, these mostly instrumental sessions also feature Rage Against the Machine drummer Brad Wick. The soundtrack hits store shelves this Tuesday, and the film opens in select cities this weekend. The film also marks the feature-length directorial debut of Peter Care, best known for his video direction of R.E.M. and Depeche Mode. The cover artwork on this Milan Records release is by Spawn artist/creator Todd McFarlane, who also created animated segments within the film… The Pixies are twinkling in the air these days as a new rarities collection is in the works, founder Frank Black has announced new material, and covers of their material sparkle some upcoming new releases. SpinArt Records has announced the July 9 release of a self-titled 9-track CD of rare Pixies sessions from 1987, known affectionately as the Purple Tapes. Long anticipated by loyal fans, these raw recordings are the demos that later procured the band their label deal with 4AD Records. SpinArt is also releasing new music from Black in August — two separate albums backed by his band The Catholics that promise a cover of Tom Waits’ “The Black Rider.” The two albums are set to bear the titles Devil’s Workshop and Black Letter Day. And I’m particularly interested in hearing the rendition of “Gouge Away” that’s being promised as a bonus in the first pressing of the upcoming Papa Roach album, Lovehatetragedy, due at the end of this month on the DreamWorks imprint. David Bowie also steps up to The Pixies’ plate this coming Tuesday, as his new album features his take on their song “Cactus.” The ISO/Columbia release is titled Heathen; it features stunning cover art and two more intriguing covers: Neil Young’s “I’ve Been Waiting For You” and The Legendary Stardust Cowboy’s “I Took a Trip On a Gemini Spaceship.”
Television Alert:
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno slips into Abandoned Pools tonight, Avril Lavigne on Thursday, No Doubt on Friday, and Paul Westerberg on Tuesday; The Late Show with David Letterman hosts Jimmy Eat World on Thursday and David Bowie on Monday; Late Night with Conan O’Brien features New Found Glory on Tuesday overnight; and The Late Late Show With Craig Kilborn welcomes the Pet Shop Boys on Thursday overnight and Luna on Monday overnight. MTV’s 2002 Movie Awards should be fun on Thursday night with co-host Jack Black of Tenacious D.
New Releases Coming Tuesday, June 11:
(and like the winds, young grasshopper, are subject to change…)
The Clarks — Another Happy Ending (Razor & Tie), from Pittsburgh
Cursive / Eastern Youth — 8 Teeth To Eat You (Better Looking Records), split CD
Ani DiFranco — Render: Spending Time With Ani DiFranco (Righteous Babe), feature-length film on VHS and interactive DVD
Daz Dillinger — This Is the Life I Lead (DPG Records), with guests Too Short and Mean Piece
Farrah — Moustache (Ark 21), poppy quartet featuring a cover of The Rubinoos’ “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend”
The Future Sound of London — The Isness (Hypnotic), adventurous new album, their first in seven years
Steve Hackett — Feedback 86 (SPV), featuring “lost” recordings from the early Genesis guitarist from 1986, with guests Brian May of Queen, and Ian Mosely & Pete Trewavas of Marillion
Jughead — Jughead (SPV), featuring Ty Tabor of King’s X and Derek Sherinian of Dream Theater
Jorma Kaukonen — Blue Country Heart (Columbia), interesting album covering songs from the 1920s and 1930s that were written, uncharacteristically, by white bluesmen
King Of Woolworths — Ming Star (Mantra/Beggars Banquet), spaced out electronica and eclectic funky noodlings from the alter ego of Jon Brooks
Korn — Untouchables (Immortal/Epic), the first pressing of the CD features bonus material
Tim Krekel — Happy Town (FreeFalls Entertainment), absolute jangle-pop bliss from this terrific Louisville, Kentucky singer songwriter and former Jimmy Buffett guitarist
KRS-One — Kris Styles (In The Paint)
Neal Morse — It’s Not Too Late (Radiant/Inside Out), new solo album from the Spock’s Beard vocalist and songwriter
Mutabaruka — Life Squared (Heartbeat), long awaited new album from this masterful dub poet
New Found Glory — Sticks and Stones (MCA/Drive-Thru), on the main stage of Van’s Warped tour this summer
Our Lady Peace — Gravity (Columbia), their first since the departure of guitarist Mike Turner
Raphael Saadiq — Instant Vintage (Universal), new from the Toni Tony Tone founder featuring guests Angie Stone and D’Angelo
Scratch — The Embodiment of Instrumentation (Ropeadope/Atlantic), new solo album from The Roots’ member
Seiko — Area 23 (Hip-O), American debut of one of Japan’s biggest pop stars, featuring an English language version of the single “Downtown Tokyo”
Sinisstar — Future Shock (Geffen), recently opening for Rob Zombie’s Demon Speeding Tour
Erik von Schmidt — Living On the Trail (Tomato), first time issue of this 1971 lost album from the folk blues singer-songwriter
Special Skank — Ska Au Go Go (Cleopatra), all new from Neville Staple of The Specials, featuring covers of Bob Marley’s “Simmer Down” and Peter Tosh’s “Maga Dog”
The Stryder — Jungle City Twitch (Equal Vision)
Swearing At Motorists — This Flag Signals Goodbye (Secretly Canadian), new from the Dayton, Ohio duo
They Might Be Giants — No! (Rounder), children’s music CD featuring interactive sequences that let you sing and play along
The Tragically Hip — In Violet Light (Zoe), touring America this summer, this all-new CD features an enclosed fanclub membership card and unique ID number
Udo — Man and Machine (Breaker/SPV), new studio album from the Accept vocalist, featuring guest Doro Pesch on the ballad “Dancing With an Angel”
Various Artists — The Reggae Tribute to Pink Floyd (Snake Machine), well baked in the island sun, this tribute features “Run Like Hell” covered by the Glimmerglass Reggae Ensemble and the Hurtin’ Buckaroos’ take on “Echoes”
VHS Or Beta — Le Funk (On! Records)
W.A.S.P. — Dying For the World (Sanctuary), all new from Blackie Lawless and crew, touring this summer
The Waxwings — Shadows of The Waxwings (Bobsled), second album from these Detroit pop-roots favorites
The Who — The Ultimate Collection (MCA), 2-CD set of hits and previously unreleased rarities
John James can be found via cyberspace at yeahyeah@one.net. *
This article appears in Jun 5-11, 2002.
