Have you ever drunk peyote? Me neither… but I can almost swear that if any band ever approximated the experience (other than the Doors) it would be the incredibly Doors-y, Austin 6-piece, The Black Angels. And lately it’s been nothing but good news for these guys (and gals). After two amazing performances opening for the Smashing Pumpkins’ Fillmore residency, touring and garnering a growing fan base with strong praise from the critics for their densely-layered, droning, psych-rock; they have now...
If you didn’t catch the previous Ground Control update concerning Jimmy Eat World, then shame on you… The gist of it is that Jimmy Eat World is back and they’ve announced the release of their third full length, Chase This Light, to be released October 16. This is the old news that all you slackers missed. What is new to share, however, is that Jimmy Eat World has now announced a North American US tour to coincide with the release...
The forefathers of French electro-house music, Daft Punk, will release a live album – titled Daft Punk Alive 2007 on November 20th, 2007. The album was recorded at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, an 18,000-capacity sports arena in Paris, on June 14th, 2007, the CD captures the exuberant multi-media spectacle of Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo's first hometown show in 10 years in front of a capacity crowd of thrilled fans. Virgin Records will release the album as a...
Before now I had taken Marilyn Manson’s shock factor for granted. I had heard so many stories about him getting arrested for lewd acts on stage, there were pictures of him burning bibles and false rumors that he broke kittens’ necks during concerts. Because I had grown used to hearing these shock stories, it all seemed so commonplace that I didn’t think people cared anymore. In my mind, those who supported him either loved his shock factor or were unfazed...
John Vanderslice is a small man (stature-wise). He’s not particularly short, it’s more like he’s compact, with no wasted space. Like the buffalo/Indian relationship, every part of John Vanderslice is usable by John Vanderslice. It’s extremely apparent in his music. There’s a deliberateness that reaches far beyond even the most focused recording impresario, the kind of deliberateness that only a man who owns his own (well-respected) studio can afford. *** “On Cellar Door, we wanted to make a distorted...
Saturday night, Satan’s minions descended on the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater to hear what can only be described as the house band for hell, Slayer. For more than twenty years, seeing this band live has eluded me despite owning most of their catalogue and measuring every metal band’s worth against the piece of perfection they released in 1986, Reign in Blood. As we drove into the venue last night, speculation was running high on what the crowd would be like knowing...
It seems as if Indie Rockers the Decemberists never stop working. Since there formation a mere five years ago in 2002, they have put out nearly as many full lengths (as many if you count the phenomenal “Tain EP”), they have performed orchestral renditions of their songs alongside the likes of the LA Philharmonic, and have embarked on more tours in this short period of time than any band that comes to mind. Of course, once again, the Decemberists will...
A few years ago when I was DJing clubs that weren’t clubs really, but people standing around listening to dance music, I probably had The Faint in every one of my sets—at least one song. In 2004 that was pretty much all you needed to get the party started. I ended up hearing about Broken Spindles and would drop some of those jams as well. Then there was Bright Eyes, Now It’s Overhead, Ladyfinger (NE), Cursive, etc. I thought it...
As L.A.'s own Cary Brothers made his way back home to play his final show of a 35-date U.S. tour, he was greeted with familiar and unfamiliar faces who all adored him equally. Ground Control caught last night's shows and got some photos of Cary's band and openers Stars of Track and Field, who toured side by side for the past six weeks. Who Are You is out now on Procrastination Music More about Cary Brothers: www.carybrothers.com More about Stars...
Three years after 2004’s Uh Huh Her, PJ Harvey is coming back with the release of a brand new album, White Chalk. Produced by two legendaries, Flood and John Perish, the album is being described by the NME as "Sparse sounds, spine-tingling pianos and vocals that bring a tear to the eye-in a good way," White Chalk is a departure from previous PJ Harvey studio albums in that it was written on piano and does not feature her trademark electric...