Hump Day Happenings

Last night, I checked out Them Crooked Vultures at the Aragon Ballroom. Aside from Josh Homme getting drunk throughout the show, I really enjoyed the performance. There were times during the two hour set that the energy lacked, but the band brought it most of the night. It's very clear that Dave Grohl is enjoying being out of the limelight and playing drums. It was also a pleasure to watch him own his kit! Here is some news and a video to get you over the hump day known as Wednesday.

• Bobby Womack has some very high praise for Damon Albarn
• Trey Anastasio has a new songwriting partner
• Holy Shit! Pitchfork gave the remastered Exile a perfect 10
• Elvis Costello has canceled to upcoming gigs in Israel
• Bonnaroo's Lunar Stage will host DJ's, show World Cup games
• Pearl Jam paid tribute to the late Ronnie James Dio
  
  
  
  Dawes - When My Time Comes

Them Crooked Vultures Announce Tour Dates

Rather than announce a massive tour, Them Crooked Vultures appear to be piecing together their tour schedule at their own pace. The latest round of shows finds the band playing five shows in Canada and two shows in the US. The May 18 show at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago marks the bands first appearance in the Windy City since they made their live debut on August 9, 2009.

The first time I saw Dave Grohl play drums was at the Foo Fighters first show in Chicago at Metro in 1995. I was blown away then and plan on being blow away at the Aragon this May! You can check out the tour dates below.

Them Crooked Vultures Tour Dates
May 11th @ Pavillion De La Jeunesse - Quebec City, QC
May 12th @ Cepsum - Montreal, QC
May 13th @ Scotia Place - Ottawa, ON
May 15th @ Air Canada Centre - Toronto, ON
May 16th @ Colloseum at Caesars - Windsor, ON
May 17th @ The Egyptian Room - Indianapolis, IN
May 18th @ Aragon Ballroom - Chicago, IL

Monday Morning Coffee Break

• Panda Bear announces solo shows in Europe after Australian tour with Animal Collective
• Rivers Cuomo and Jermaine Dupri grace the cover of Billboard
• Chuck Berry will tour the UK in November & December
• It is safe to say that Michael Jackson's This Is It was a worldwide success
• Wilco announced their first ever haiku contest
• Steven Tyler wants to take a two year break from Aerosmith

Since the release of the first Foo Fighters album in 1995, Dave Grohl hasn't stopped making music. He has performed with the likes of Brian May, Paul McCartney & Jimmy Page to name a few. This month will see the release of a Foo Fighters Greatest Hits record, Nirvana's stunning performance at the 1992 Reading Festival, and Them Crooked Vultures debut album. His latest project features John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) and Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age). Recently, The New York Times recently ran a nice story on Grohl.

Above photo by David Azia for The New York Times

Them Crooked Vultures: "New Fang"

The anticipation is building for the November 17 release of Them Crooked Vultures self-titled debut album. After several short studio clips and some live YouTube videos, the band has finally released a full studio track called "New Fang".

Click below to hear the track:

Them Crooked Vultures Announce Debut Album

On November 17, Them Crooked Vultures will release their self titled debut album. The highly anticipated album will feature Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters, Nirvana) on drums, Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) on guitar and vocals and John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) on bass. Check out the tracklist below.

You can pre-order the album here.

Them Crooked Vultures

No One Loves Me & Neither Do I
Mind Eraser, No Chaser
New Fang
Dead End Friends
Elephants
Scumbag Blues
Bandoliers
Reptiles
Interlude With Ludes
Warsaw or the First Breath You Take After You Give Up
Caligulove
Gunman
Spinning in Daffodils

Currently Listening To........

Foo Fighters - Self Titled
1. This Is A Call
2. I'll Stick Around
3. Big Me
4. Alone + Easy Target
5. Good Grief
6. Floaty
7. Weenie Beenie
8. Oh, George
9. For All The Cows
10. X-Static
11. Wattershed
12. Exhausted

After the death of Kurt Cobain, it didn't take Dave Grohl long to get back in the saddle. After turning down an offer to become the full time drummer for Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Grohl entered the studio to record the Foo Fighters first full length album. Grohl played every instrument on the album except one guitar track played by Greg Dulli of The Afghan Whigs.

With the exception of two tracks this album is pretty heavy. Grohl's drumming on the album is very impressive and it reminds me a lot like his drumming on In Utero. His guitar is work isn't to shabby either. Of all of the Foo Fighters album, this is the least polished, but that doesn't take away from the quality of the record.

It is very fitting that the final song on the album is "Exhausted". I can't imagine the roller coaster ride of emotions that Grohl went through after the death of Cobain. The album was released just 15 months after his passing. By the time you get to the song, the listener is literally exhausted from the non-stop guitar and drum assault. Throw in a little screaming and you have a straight forward in your face rock n roll album.

Refusing to mount a major tour for the album, Grohl and band mates Pat Smear, Nate Mendel & William Goldsmith opted to open for Mike Watt on his Ringspiel club tour. I was very fortunate to have caught their show at The Metro in Chicago. I was surprised to see that Grohl was playing guitar and not drums, but you could tell that he clearly enjoyed leading the band. Although, he didn't play drums for the Foo Fighters, he did play drums for part of Mike Watts set and it was awesome! Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam was at the show as well. He performed as part of the opening act Hoovercraft, which was fronted by his then wife Beth Liebling, and as a part of Mike Watts band. It was a show that I will never forget.

It is amazing to think that The Foo Fighters are fifteen years old. They are currently on a hiatus of sorts, but Dave Grohl has not stopped making music. He has recently formed a supergroup called Them Crooked Vultures with John Paul Jones & Josh Homme. They are preparing to release their debut album with a tour booked as well. There is one thing for sure and that is Dave Grohl loves making music. I hope he continues to do so because I certainly do enjoy listening to it.

Mike Watt
May 6, 1995
The Metro
Chicago, IL

Walking the Cow@
Big Train
Against the 70's
Drove up from Pedro
Habit#
Makin' the Freeway
Chinese Firedrill
Piss-Bottle Man
Forever - One Reporter's Opinion
E-Ticket Ride
Political Song for Michael Jackson to Sing
Coincidence is Either Hit or Miss
The Red and the Black$
E: Secret Garden%
Powerful Hankerin'

Notes:
@ - Daniel Johnston cover
# - Pearl Jam cover. First time ever played and would be released on No Code the following year.
$ - Blue Oyster Cult cover
% - Madonna cover

Mike Watt - Bass, Vocals
Dave Grohl - Drums, Guitar on three songs & Backup vocals
Eddie Vedder - Guitar, Backup vocals & Lead vocals on Habit
Pat Smear - Guitar, Backup vocals & Lead vocals on Secret Garden
William Goldsmith - Drums