Gaslight Anthem

Roots Rock News: Larry Crane, Gaslight Anthem, The Dead Weather, Marah

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Former Mellencamp guitar slinger Larry Crane has released a new album, called “Tropical Depression”. It is a refreshingly solid piece of roots rock, similiar in sound to the albums Crane put out in the 90s, as he was hitting the clubs of Indiana behind records like “Eye for an Eye”. Crane, part of the Mellencamp band all the way back to the early Cougar days, now lives in Florida and plays occasional shows there. The new record, however, was recorded here in Indiana. Nearly equal parts rollicking and introspective, it shines most when Crane lets loose with his Telecaster: screeching, grinding and digging into roots-rock sounds. His singing voice is rather ordinary, but exudes a familiar, lovely southern Indiana lilt, and it serves his songs just fine. “What Billy Wants” is one of the album’s best, an Americana anthem that dates back to some of his live shows from his days in the Hoosier State. The opening cut “Once You Love” hits many of the same rock and roll buttons, with three-chord rock, guitars and gospel keyboards.
Larry told me via email that he’ll be back in Indiana in the spring. We will let you know when and where. Meanwhile, listen to (or buy) the entire album here.
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Gaslight Anthem is working on its new album, “American Slang”, the follow-up to 2008’s “The ‘59 Sound”, and the Jersey rockers are, according to lead singer Brian Fallon, moving into more literal songwriting.
In an interview with on DyingScene.com, Fallon said that the Americana stories are out. In is something like reality.
“I’ve kind of abandoned all of that,” said Fallon. “There are no names (Maria and such) and none of the old stuff. I feel like I’ve said a lot of what I had to say about that old stuff. I’m moving on. … [American Slang] is a hyper-literal album. These stories are coming out of my life and the reflections on the things I’ve gotten as I’ve gotten older. It’s more autobiographical, definitely more direct. Not so shrouded in mystery. I’m not trying to confuse anyone with a trail of images on this one.”
Let’s hope his talent and intelligence means this is all a good thing, and not a self-indulgent change in direction. I just say this: Please be good….
Read the interview.
Gaslight Anthem and special guest…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul0XCTeJx_o]
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Philly’s old school-type rockers Marah have a new album coming out, called “Life Is A Problem”, due on June 1st. They have a deal on their website that if you tell five people about the music, you can have some cuts that didn’t make the record.
go to website
“We are making these unreleased recordings available to you because you deserve ’em,” they say on the website. “As music fans you’ve displayed the rare quality of really giving a shit about our music through the years and that means a lot to us.”
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The Dead Weather has announced a spring tour, as Jack White’s third band plans to release a sophomore album later in 2010. The tour begins in San Francisco on April 15 and winds up on May 2 at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. They get only as close to Indy as St. Louis on April 24 at The Pageant.

Twang Rock Report: Jason and the Scorchers reunite for album, New albums from Todd Snider and Low Anthem, plus WTF on the Gaslight Anthem dates?

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Jason Ringenberg puts the band back together
Jason Ringenberg puts the legendary Nashville band back together

A Nashville rock/punk/country band reuniting, a Hoosier going beyond back-to-basics, and one the hottest bands in the country avoiding Indy again. All that, and a whole pile more…
ROB’S TWANG NEWS
Reunited?
Late 80’s cowpunkers Jason and the Scorchers is in the process of getting a new album completed; they reunited for their first recording session since 1998. Jason Ringenberg has been playing a lot of solo gigs (including a cartoonish kids singer named “Farmer Jason”) over the years, and Warren Hodges has been ripping it up on guitar in Dan Baird’s (Georgia Satellites) band.
Have You Heard?
The Pawn Shop Lifters (from Virginia Beach, VA) – American Rock with a little Steve Earle, a hint of Georgia Satellites – you listen and decide a third influence.
Of the Indiana American rock and roll bands I’m diggin, check out what Henry French and the Shameless are doing. Here’s a sample of their goods, from Birdy’s late in 2008, performing a song off their “Swagger and Sway” album.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLwFyk3CYSc]
And speaking of Indiana roots rock – The Elms and the 2009 Indy 500 highlights have been paired for a new cool little video. Pretty well done.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2EfhqgudzM] 
Quick Hit – Upcoming Shows To Know:
June 12 BoDeans – Vogue
June 20 Hoosier Springsteen featuring Tim Grimm, Jennie Devoe. Gordon Bonham and Jason Wilber – Danville Town Square
June 21 Matthew Sweet – Vogue
June 28: Jonathan Richman w/ Vic Chestnut – Radio Radio
July 2 – Yonder Mountain String Band – Vogue
July 2: Vigilantes of Love – Radio Radio
July 17: Shelby Kelley w/ The Common – Radio Radio
July 23 Old 97’s – Vogue
June 26 – Steve Earle- Buskirk Chumley Theatre – Bloomington
Out this week:
The Low Anthem – “Oh My God, Charlie Darwin”
Americana/folk/alt-country/old-timey all rolled into a sweet little album. Gorgeous. They will play at Locals Only on August 6.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIoFq42ccr8]
Todd Snider – “The Excitement Plan”
Less overtly political, more of the Todd that is a brilliant examiner of the human condition. Or stoner guy. Or both. – read Spin review
BTW: How the hell does Indianapolis not get a Gaslight Anthem show? And Cincinnati gets a show…? The band has announced a series of new tour dates and again Indianapolis is not on it. While the band continues to perform in support of 2008’s The ‘59 Sound, this tour is rumored to be the band’s last before heading back into the studio to record a follow-up to that record.
09.08 Pittsburgh, PA: Mr. Small’s
09.09 Cincinnati, OH: Bogart’s
09.10 St. Louis, MO: Pop’s
09.11 Omaha, NE: Sokol Auditorium
09.13 Denver, CO: Ogden Theater
09.16 San Diego, CA: House of Blues
09.17 Los Angeles, CA: Henry Fonda Theater
09.20 San Francisco, CA: Fillmore
09.22 Portland, OR: Berbati’s Pan
10.03 Minneapolis, MN: Epic
10.04 Milwaukee, WI: Turner Hall
10.06 Detroit, MI: St. Andrew’s Hall
10.12 Buffalo, NY: Town Ballroom
10.13 Toronto, ON: Kool Haus
10.18 Philadelphia, PA: Trocadero
10.21 Richmond, VA: The National
10.22 Washington, DC: 9:30 Club
10.26 Columbus, OH: Newport Music Hall
Spin ‘em at 33 1/3 everybody…
Since I have a working turntable for my vinyl after a 20 year hiatus, I pulled the albums out of my parent’s house. I have about four large cardboard boxes stored in a nicely ventilated upstairs attic – thanks Mom.
Not wanting to bring all four boxes home, I grabbed one and pulled some stuff to hear that I hadn’t played since about 1992. Keep in mind that two factors affect my choices: Available inventory (most everything will be 70’s and 80’s), and previous career opportunities. I was a radio jock for 10 years, meaning I bought some of my own stuff to play (I worked at places where I was either in charge and could do what I wanted, or was at a station that still let jocks make music choices – I know, it’s shocking…) Plus, I also kept some records the stations deemed no longer necessary for their success, or records that they weren’t hip enough to know was good shit when they heard it.
Here’s my scratch and pop vinyl love for this week….roll ’em boys.
The Knack – “Get the Knack”
…Because I haven’t listened to it in about 20 years and want to see if there was still some magic nearly 30 years after the release. And despite the misogyny implications, the sound of “Good Girls Don’t” is still damn infectious. And forget the chorus, “My Sharona” becomes great when the guitar solo and entire band get extra -rocking just after the middle of the song.
R.E.O. – “T.W.O.”
Kevin Cronin back on board for this one. Not a killer album, but is a piece of 70’s midwest melodic hard rock from a bar band that had not yet discovered the power ballad.
The Rave Ups- “The Book of Your Regrets”
Ultimately likable but forgettable 80’s alternative rock, from an LA band, redeemed only by their Pittsburgh roots. I hear a Rust Belt/Joe Grushecky influence in some of their phrasing. Obtuse reference? Probably. Look Joe up.
Steve Miller Band – “Number 5”
Guess what album this was for Miller? Not his fourth. This was more like the predecessors and their hard-and-spacey 60’s guitar sound than the radio rock that was to come from Miller. There are hints of his greatness, but the cleaner pop production of “Book of Dreams” and “Fly Like and Eagle” aren’t on here.
Joan Jett – “Bad Reputation”
Her debut record, full of Ramones speed, hints at a Stone-sy attitude. She was turned down by more than 20 record companies before deciding to launch her own label (Blackheart Records) with pal Kenny Laguna. They used his daughter’s college fund, so it’s good things worked out. Laguna and Jett are still friends and regular business partners. Not as powerful as her follow-up, which would make her famous via “I Love Rock and Roll”. (Interesting note – the video for “I Love Rock and Roll” was shot in color, but someone thought it lacked something, so they went down to black and white, so that was how it was released.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3T_xeoGES8]
Now watch color version!
Greg Kihn Band – “With the Naked Eye”
Man, I was into that power pop thing, wasn’t I? This one has the Springsteen-penned “Rendezvous” as track 1, side 1.
How about St. Louis this week?
One of the older, smaller alt-country festivals of the summer features a great lineup – and St. Louis is a great city.
Twangfest 2009
Wednesday, June 10 – The Pageant
Alejandro Escovedo
Hot Club Of Cowtown
Amy Lavere
Thursday, June 11 – Duck Room at Blueberry Hill
Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys
Bruce Robison
Eilen Jewell
Brothers Lazaroff
Friday, June 12 – Duck Room at Blueberry Hill
Asylum Street Spankers
Andre Williams
Sarah Borges & The Broken Singles
Jon Hardy & The Public
Saturday, June 13 – Duck Room at Blueberry Hill
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit
Daddy (with Tommy Womack and Will Kimbrough)
The Deep Vibration
Theodore

Roots Rock Notes: Gaslight Anthem live acoustic, Wilco on tour, Petty kicks back, Son Volt's new album

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I have your audio, your video, the news you didn’t know, and it’s all free. Unbelieveable, I know.
.: Hey, ho, rock and roll. Deliver me from nowhere… :.
Brian FallonGASLIGHT ANTHEM’S BRIAN FALLON LIVE ACOUSTIC
•Brian Fallon and his band The Gaslight Anthem are one of the (deservedly so) hot bands right now – schooled in the art of the garage rock and the rock-with-a punk-edge bands like The Replacements. “I don’t think there would be a Gaslight Anthem without the Replacements,” Fallon told SPIN Magazine. He played an acoustic cover of the Minnesota indie band’s “Left of the Dial,” and it is posted on the magazine’s website.
Watch 3 song acoustic session including “That ’59 Sound” and “Left of the Dial”.
WILCO IN BLOOMINGTON w/ Hawk and a Hacksaw opening
•A legendary alt-country band, right? One step removed from Uncle Tupelo, Jeff Tweedy and his band are in Bloomington for a show at the Jeff TweedyIU Memorial Auditorium on April 16. It’s not sold out; kinda interesting. The band plays two nights in Milwaukee before coming to Bloomington, and both of those are sold out, though the proximity of Milwaukee to Chicago aids that sale. (you can hear two previous concerts on their website)
According to the band site, a still-untitled next Wilco album is nearing completion. Jim Scott and the band just finished mixing in Jim’s studio in Valencia, California. They list song titles, though the record isn’t sequenced and some titles may change:
Deeper Down
Conscript (aka I’ll Fight)
One Wing
Solitaire
Wilco (the song)
Country Disappeared
Everlasting
Bull Black Nova
Sonny Feeling
You and I
WILCO American Tour Schedule (from wilcoworld.net)
APR-14 MILWAUKEE, WI PABST THEATER
APR-15 MILWAUKEE, WI PABST THEATER
APR-16 BLOOMINGTON, IN IU AUDITORIUM
APR-17 ATHENS, OH TEMPLETON-BLACKBURN ALUMNI MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM
APR-18 KNOXVILLE, TN TENNESSEE THEATRE
APR-20 ATHENS, GA CLASSIC CENTER
APR-21 ASHEVILLE, NC THOMAS WOLFE AUDITORIUM
APR-22 BIRMINGHAM, AL SLOSS FURNACES
APR-23 OXFORD, MS LYRIC OXFORD
APR-25 NEW ORLEANS, LA NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL
JUN-12 CINCINNATI, OH ARONOFF CENTER
JUN-13 MANCHESTER, TN BONNAROO
ROCK TWANG NOTES:
→Son Volt will return this summer with their sixth-full length album. The new record is titled American Central Dust.
→Rosanne Cash is dipping back into her childhood for her next album, “The List”.”‘The List’ is based on a list my father made for me when I was 18 years old,” Cash tells Billboard. “He called it the ‘100 Essential Country Songs’ and said if I learned this list, I would be truly educated. We are culling about 15 songs from the list, and re-interpreting them, with the respect of an archivist…”.
→Ron Wood said that he’s recorded about a dozen songs for a solo album called “More Good News.” Produced by Bob Rock and Wood , with gueststhat include Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder.
→Sister Hazel plays at the Bluebird in Bloomington on Friday night.
LA TIMES DOES BRUCE:
“We played on the last tour and there were some empty seats here and there and, well, there shouldn’t be any empty seats at an E Street Band show,” he told the LA Times. “I hold pride that we remain one of the great wonders of the world . . . so sometimes you got to remind people a little bit.”
read full story
REMASTERING THE BEATLES
The Beatles whole catalog is going to be digitally re-mastered and released on September 9. The remastered discs will be available individually in stereo and in two box sets – one stereo and another in mono. Please Please Me, With the Beatles, A Hard Day’s Night, Beatles for Sale, Help!, Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Magical Mystery Tour, Yellow Submarine, The Beatles (The White Album), Abbey Road and Let It Be all get remastered, plus Past Masters I and II.
→The David Lynch Foundation’s Transcendental Meditation benefit in New York became a Beatles reunion of sorts as Ringo Starr joined Paul McCartney on stage for the show’s three-song finale at Radio City Music Hall
read story here
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BAND THAT I LIKE w/ FREE DOWNLOADABLE BOOTLEG
John Paul Keith and the One Four Fives
John Paul Keith is a native of Knoxville, TN, living in Memphis and has played in a lot of bands (The V-Roys, among others). Listen to his tunes on myspace and if you want to (BOOTLEG ALERT) download a free live album of his work, click on this link
“This was a gig I did in Knoxville at the Corner Lounge about 3 years ago, with a pickup band put together by Jeff,” Keith said. “This was an important gig for me at the time, because I hadn’t played my songs in public in about 2 years, and it was really great to play for the home folks. It really inspired me to get going again. Not long after that show, the One Four Fives eventually got together in Memphis.”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ndm2esvpx4]
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ROB’S “IPOD SHUFFLE EXPERIENCE – Week 5
•Inside the randomness that is my digital library. Shuffling the iPod, and we take the first five tunes, starting now:
1. “Lookin’ For Love” – J. Geils Band
From a bootleg recorded in Detroit in 1977. They are the only band I have never seen live that I really wanted to. I grew up in Michigan, so word would filter out of Detroit that the band had played some four-hour show at a club. By the time they went big with Freeze Frame in 1980, the nastiness was a bit worn off. Their live albums before that, especially “Blow Your Face Out”, are essential.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRezwP_znTc]
After spending most of this decade on hiatus, they played the new House of Blues club in Boston in February and will return to Detroit to play the Fillmore April 24.. The HOB set was reportedly great, as the Patriot-Ledger described the band as “light-years beyond every expectation, inhumanly tight despite a lengthy hiatus, and palpably enjoying every minute of their return”.
2. “That’s What I Am” – Dan Baird
Off his first solo record “Love Songs for the Hearing Impaired”, this is a party song set to a Chuck Berry-meets-Replacements groove. The hit off this album was the cute but cool “I Love You Period”. I saw this tour in Fort Wayne, with a band that had (speaking of the Replacements) Slim Dunlap on guitar.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFpsDAL4oKE]
3. ” So Hard Done By” – The Tragically Hip
Who the hell is Tragically Hip, you ask? Probably one the most critically acclaimed rock and roll bands to come from Canada. Another show I saw in Fort Wayne (at the same bar as Baird too). Really underplayed on radio stations of America. They are like a Canadian Cheap Trick – been around forever, melodic songs, and great live show. They also harken back to the 70’s with echoes of REO along with a definite 1990’s alt rock taste, yet not overwhelmingly so.  I hear BoDeans in their music too.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vHEV3llaHY]
4. ”Kiss Me in the Dark” – Randy Rogers Band
Some of that great Red Dirt country rock, out of Texas and Oklahoma. One of my favorite sounds is this little genre. Cross Canadian Ragweed, Stoney Larue, and Charlie Robison are just a few who have made a career touring Texas. Rogers has now been on Letterman and “The Tonight Show” in the past year.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoBlryfjlCc]
5. “Fallen Angel” (live) – Poison
I’ve got no problem pledging my love to the golden age of Poison, and it survives, even through the whole Bret Michaels “Rock Bus of Love” thing. Part bubble gum rock, part heartland rock (the band is from Pennsylvania, in case we all forgot), and complete candy. Plus the original members are still together, so that counts fror something. Guilty pleasure? Your call.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5lTt0jZ330]
AND FINALLY
Tom Petty
•Excellent interview with Tom Petty on his website from late last year that I just came across. It includes the greatest answer ever to the the following question:
Interviewer: “Tell me about a day-in-the-life of Tom Petty, off the road and out of the studio. What’s on the itinerary?”
Tom Petty: “It could be any number of things. That house I have on a lake plays a big role these days. I get some books, sit around and read for awhile, then maybe go out on my boat and try to catch a few bass, come in and watch a few movies in the evening, maybe smoke one, play guitar or noodle at the piano. But this not working thing is, for me, really harder than working” (laughs).
Read full interview (.pdf) – interviewed by Warren Zanes, former guitar player for Del Fuegos and now a Ph.D who teaches, and was a past VP of Education at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
BONUS: I am in Indianapolis. Heartland and shit. So I want to feature some Indiana roots rockers on the blog; there are many around who fit not-so-neatly into the Americana genre.  Look for them here soon.
Meanwhile…
“Check check. One-two.  Testing one-two…ssss. Ch…ch…Check.” 
Let’s make sure this thing is on…
[audio:http://www.rustybladen.com/mp3/blueflannelshirt_studio.mp3]
Blue Flannel Shirt – Rusty Bladen