Jul 20 2009
Ra Ra Riot, a Syracuse indie-rock band currrently on tour with Death Cab for Cutie and Cold War Kids, will headline WYEP's Rock the Block party on Saturday, Sept. 12, on an outdoor stage adjacent to The WYEP Community Broadcast Center on the South Side.
The annual fundraiser, which runs 8 p.m. through midnight, will feature live music, food and drinks from local restaurants. Lohio will open the show and Serene Ryder will play a VIP event.
For tickets, go to www.wyep.org.
Jul 20 2009
The Beastie Boys tour has been canceled and an album release postponed admid news that Adam "MCA" Yauch has been diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in his left parotid (salivary) gland.
The good news, according to the band's publicists, is that was caught early and is considered very treatable with require surgery and additional treatment. It is not expected to affect his vocal chords.
Concert appearances have been canceled (there was no Pittsburgh show) and the release of "Hot Sauce Committee Part 1" will be pushed back.
Yauch said in a video statement, "I just need to take a little time to get this in check, and then we'll release the record and play some shows. It's a pain in the neck (sorry had to say it) because i was really looking forward to playing these shows, but the doctors have made it clear that this is not the kind of thing that can be put aside to deal with later."
Jul 16 2009
So, I got some harsh mail on the review of the Levon Helm Band at the Amphitheatre at Station Square Tuesday night.
Ron wrote: If you couldn't appreciate the talented group of musicians on stage with Levon you have no business writing this article. Everyone in my group who attended the show and everyone I spoke with during the break before the main act, were impressed with the Levon Helm Band. Did you watch Levon on the Letterman show less than a week ago? His voice was shot then. Give the guy a pass on the voice. Just watching a rock legend enjoy his craft after all these years would have been enough for me. On top of that, the band played an awesome set of songs and showcased the talent of all on stage. You could have mentioned the awesome guitar solo of 'the Genetic Method.' If you couldn't appreciate the Levon Helm Band, you must not like music."
Michael wrote: You must have had bad seats last night because your "ripping" of the Levon Helm Band was way out of line with what I heard last night. Sure, I wish I could've heard more from them including stuff from his new c.d., but what I did hear was very good. That band of his is 'pretty tight' and the organ, piano, accordian, etc. player does a pretty good Garth Hudson imitation. Not to mention the lead guitar player being very Robbie Robertson-like. I heard Levon and his band years ago as the opening act for Little Feat at the old, old Ampitheatre, and they sounded just as good last night. I could help but think last night that this must be what it's like to be at one of his "midnight brambles.' "
Sorry, I still think that vocals are part of the package with Helm and that the strong showing on his new album indicated that he was back in shape after throat cancer. If he has "a little laryngitis," he probably should take the night off rather than having the rest of the band cover for him.
Jul 16 2009
Promising Pittsburgh rapper Wiz Khalifa, who signed with Warner Bros. Records in 2007, has parted ways with the company after a series of delays in releasing his major-label debut.
"We feel that this ‘divorce' is the best thing for both parties at this juncture and we appreciate the leniency Warner has shown with our release," Benjy Grinberg, of Rostrum Records, which released his first album, said in a statement. "We are excited to be independent again."
The 21-year old Khalifa, currently on a national tour, is about to release a new single "Teach U To Fly," and the mixtape "How Fly." He performs at the Amphitheatre at Station Square on July 31 with Girl Talk.
"I'd like to thank Warner Bros. for understanding our reasons for wanting to leave," Khalifa said. "I learned a lot during my time there and matured as an artist during the process. I'm happy to be moving on with all of my material and having the chance to be in control of my next moves."