Alternative Rock
Queens of the Stone Age to Mark Bataclan Attack Anniversary with Concert Livestream and Fundraiser
This Friday, November 13th, will mark five years since the tragic Bataclan terrorist attack in Paris. A total of 89 people were killed during the concert headlined by Eagles of Death Metal. In remembrance of that fateful evening, Queens of the Stone Age will livestream previously unseen concert footage, and all proceeds will benefit those impacted by the attack. Frontman Josh Homme made the announcement on Twitter on Monday. Homme is a member of Eagles of Death Metal, but didn’t perform at the 2015 Bataclan concert. Even so, he clearly hasn’t forgotten the gravity of what transpired that night. QOTSA have chosen to livestream an acoustic gig that took place at Tasmania’s MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) in September 2018. The 11-song setlist included “Go with the Flow”, “I Never Came”, and...
Wilco Unveil Massive Summerteeth Deluxe Reissue: Stream
Wilco have unveiled the new deluxe reissue of their 1999 album Summerteeth. Stream it below via Spotify. This version, which comes packaged as a four-disc set, features a Bob Ludwig remaster of the original album, as well as loads of demos, outtakes, and live recordings. There are previously unreleased demos of songs like “Tried and True”, “I’m Always in Love”, and “She’s a Jar”, as well as alternate versions of tracks like “My Darling”, “Every Little Thing”, “Viking Dan”, and countless others. On top of all that, the band included a live recording of a 1999 concert at The Boulder Theatre in Boulder, Colorado, featuring songs like “Candyfloss”, “Hotel Arizona”, “She’s A Jar”, and more. And if you want even more, a limited edition vinyl reissue also includes a 10-song performance from ...
The Kills Perform “Raise Me” on Corden: Watch
James Corden is well aware that not many people are tuning into The Late Late Show this week, what with everyone on pins and needles about the election results. He even said as much during his “Honest Headlines” segment last night. Yet ever the consummate host, Corden soldiered on with his late-night program, welcoming The Kills for a quick chat and performance. The rock duo were there to promote their Little Bastards rarities compilation by playing the lead single, “Raise Me”. Admittedly, it’s a bit odd seeing two such powerful performers as Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince locked into a small home studio space instead of tearing into a stage. That said, the sound was pretty impeccable, with Mosshart’s voice as sharp as ever and Hince simultaneously playing a keyboard and hammering on...
Superchunk Share Halloween Single “There’s a Ghost”, Cover Sisters of Mercy: Stream
Superchunk have returned with “There’s a Ghost”, their first new music in two years. As an extra Halloween treat, the single is paired with a cover of The Sisters of Mercy’s “Alice”. The band’s first original song since 2018’s “Our Work Is Done” and that same year’s What a Time to Be Alive, “There’s a Ghost” is a bopping punk track built on mirrored acoustic and crunchy electric guitar riffs. It taps into the paranoia of 2020 perfectly, as frontman Mac McCaughan wrestles with being trapped inside alone for far too long. “Now its the end of the season and the last of our supplies/So check your fingernails/ Burning through the calendars and E strings/ Oh yeah, we’re breaking all the scales,” he sings. “I didn’t write a song for probably the first six months of the lockdown,” said McCaughan i...
Smashing Pumpkins Drop New Songs “Wyttch” and “Ramona”: Stream
We’re officially less than a month away from Smashing Pumpkins’ new double album, CYR. Following the release of “Anno Satana” and “Birch Grove” a few weeks ago, the Billy Corgan-led outfit is now sharing another pair of teaser songs in “Wyttch” and “Ramona”. “Wyttch” finds the Pumpkins revisiting some of their more ominous musical territories, filled with crunchy and searing guitars. The track comes just in time for the spooky Halloween weekend. The alt-rockers take a mellower approach on “Ramona”, however. Corgan here drops his snarl in favor of a softer vocal delivery, and a coating of ’80s synths give the song a light, glassy sheen. Stream both new singles below. “Ramona” also comes with a Linda Strawberry-directed music video that stars founding Pumpkins members Corgan, James Iha,...
Concert Review: Puscifer’s Streaming Show Features Eye-Popping Visuals and Crystal-Clear Sound
Setting the Stage: Under normal circumstances, fans would quite possibly be enjoying seeing Puscifer performing tunes off their latest album, Existential Reckoning, at a packed venue. But, of course, 2020 has thrown us countless curveballs — tops being the COVID-19 pandemic canceling all extensive tours and most in-person performances. Fortunately, some bands have become creative and found other ways to perform – whether it be drive-in outdoor concerts (where fans can watch from afar while in or around their car), or via professionally filmed livestreams. On October 30th (the same date that Existential Reckoning was released), Puscifer opted for the latter, offering a show from the middle of the Arizona desert for fans to view on their most convenient electronic device with the purcha...
MAGA Lovers Trapt Invite Proud Boys to Next Dallas Concert
Not unlike our Manchild-in-Chief, MAGA lovers Trapt love to throw a tantrum when they don’t get their way. Following the sudden cancellation of one of their concerts, Trapt spiraled out into a mini Twitter rant on Thursday, during which they not only pledged their support for the Proud Boys, but also personally invited the neo-fascist group to one of their upcoming shows. The drama all started when Dallas music venue Trees announced that Trapt’s show on November 21st was scrapped “due to reasons beyond our knowledge.” Frontman Chris Taylor Brown, who is not at all illogical or a liar, subsequently accused “social justice warriors” for forcing the cancellation of the show. “So @trees in Dallas caved to threats to employees by a few of the under 100 social justice warriors who bitched about ...
Pearl Jam Release Full MTV Unplugged Performance on YouTube: Watch
Honestly, we probably should have seen this coming. Over the last few weeks, Pearl Jam have announced various releases of their legendary MTV Unplugged concert. First came news of a vinyl reissue and the first-ever CD release, followed by the unannounced appearance of the set on streaming services. Today, the final piece of the iconic puzzle has arrived, as the band has premiered the full MTV Unplugged video on their YouTube channel. Fans undoubtedly have watched bootlegs of the 1992 session countless times. Pearl Jam themselves have released bits and pieces of the seven-song set over the years. However, this marks the first time the band has ever uploaded the full 36-minute performance. As you surely know, the MTV Unplugged show saw Pearl Jam putting material from their debut album, Ten, ...
Storefront Church Shares Chilling New Song “The Gift”: Stream
Los Angeles based singer-songwriter Lukas Frank, aka Storefront Church, makes the kind of rock music that blurs the line between dark hymn, brooding folk, and gothic/alt-rock. It’s no surprise, then, that he’s settled in with new label home Sargent House, known for acts like Chelsea Wolfe, Daughters, and Deafheaven. To celebrate the signing, Storefront Church is sharing his debut single for the label, “The Gift”. A chilling yet stunning piece, at times both minimal and flushed with lush strings and piano, it sounds like the ideal haunting piece to play in an abandoned church. It’s certainly starker than his past material, with hints of early Yellow House-era Grizzly Bear and James Blake in the mix, but something tells me this could be the calm before the storm — the melodic, ambient intro ...
Hot Chip Recruit Jarvis Cocker for New Single “Straight to the Morning”: Stream
Friday night bar-hopping may not be a thing these days, but that doesn’t mean ya can’t have a festive evening indoors. Cue: Hot Chip and Jarvis Cocker, who’ve just joined forces on a new disco-inflected song called “Straight to the Morning”. As its name implies, the track is guaranteed to spark an all-night living room dance party. According to a statement, the collaborative single was originally written with disco-pop princess Dua Lipa in mind. However, after crossing paths while DJing at Paris club Les Bains-Douches, Hot Chip and the Pulp frontman decided to make it all their own. “‘Straight To The Morning’ is a disco anthem about going out, for a time when people really can’t, and it features our friend Jarvis Cocker urging us to go ‘straight through until the break of dawn,’” Hot...
Gorillaz Unveil New Guest-Heavy Project Song Machine: Season 1 — Strange Timez: Stream
Gorillaz have unveiled their new star-studded project Song Machine: Season 1 — Strange Timez. Stream it below via Apple Music and Spotify. Not quite an album or mixtape, the effort is more a compilation of tracks their ongoing audiovisual Song Machine series. There’s an 11-track regular version and a 17-song deluxe edition, and between the two, Gorillaz recruited a cumulative total of 24 (!) different collaborators. Elton John, The Cure’s Robert Smith, Beck, St. Vincent, Peter Hook, ScHoolboy Q, JPEGMAFIA, and slowthai are just a few of the most exciting names on the list. EarthGang, Tony Allen, Georgia, Skepta, and Unknown Mortal Orchestra also appear. Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett have been previewing the endeavor for most of the year with a handful of singles: “Strange Timez”, “PAC-MAN...
Pearl Jam’s Legendary MTV Unplugged Live Album Finally Available on Streaming Services: Stream
Today marks the 30th anniversary of Pearl Jam’s very first concert, something they are celebrating with a vinyl reissue and the first-ever CD release of their classic MTV Unplugged set. Both formats are out as of today, though unsurprisingly, the LP version is long sold out. But thankfully, there’s yet another way to hear the beloved album. In a surprise move, Pearl Jam’s MTV Unplugged has been released on streaming services for the very first time. You can listen to it right now via Spotify and Apple Music below. Captured on March 16th, 1992, the seven-song Unplugged session saw Pearl Jam playing acoustic versions of material from their Ten debut. Also included is the track “State of Love and Trust”, originally released on the Singles soundtrack. Over the years, these recordings have...
