Monday Morning Coffee Break

It's going to be a long week, but by the end of the week, I will know what Phish shows I will be going to this summer. I was able to get two tickets to the now sold-out MGMT show at The Riviera Theatre on June 18. I tried a Burton Bridge Old Expensive Ale, which is currently on the beer engine at Map Room. I hope everyone had a great weekend. Here is some news and a video of the Foo Fighters national television debut back in 1995 to get your Monday moving.

• Axl Rose gets mad after being hit by object in Peru
• R.I.P. rock photographer Jim Marshall
• Bonnaroo adds Latino Alternativo tent
• Robert Plant to test new material on the road
• NOLA Jazzfest releases schedule
  
• Stone Temple Pilots perform new material in Chicago

Foo Fighters - This Is a Call

Butch Vig To Produce "Heaviest" Foo Fighters Record Yet

Dave Grohl is turning the clock back to 1991. Grohl has revealed that Butch Vig will produce the Foo Fighters next record. Vig produced Nirvana's insanely popular Nevermind and unless you lived in a cave in the early 90's, you have probably heard of it. And if that isn't cool enough, Grohl wants to record it in his garage. Badass!

[via Prefix]

Hump Day Happenings

• Soulive to record a Beatles cover album
• Judge blocks surviving members of Sublime from touring under the bands name
• Hear the first single from the collaboration between Beck & Charlotte Gainsbourg
• Jack White says no to Slash
• Cristiano Ronaldo should stick with football
• The Beatles will release Apple USB stick with remastered albums

Finally, Dave Grohl thinks the release of the Foo Fighters Greatest Hits is a bit early in his estimation. The only reason it is being released is because of a contractual obligation with Song/BMG. It's hard to imagine that they have been around for 15 years!

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:

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

Them Crooked Vultures Announce Tour

The supergroup featuring Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters), John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) and Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) have announced a US fall tour with a UK tour to follow in December. The band also posted a video of the song "Elephants" in the studio. They just posted a new music video of "Scumbag Blues", which is also below.

I missed out on getting tickets to their first ever live show at Metro a few weeks back, but next time they are in town I will definitely be there!






Them Crooked Vultures Tour Dates
10/01/09 Thu Stubb's BBQ Austin, TX
10/02/09 Fri Zilker Park Austin, TX (Austin City Limits Festival)
10/05/09 Mon War Memorial Auditorium Nashville, TN
10/06/09 Tue Lifestyle Communities Pavilion Columbus, OH
10/08/09 Thu The Fillmore Detroit (State Theatre) Detroit, MI
10/09/09 Fri The Sound Academy Toronto, ON
10/11/09 Sun House of Blues Boston, MA
10/12/09 Mon Electric Factory Philadelphia, PA
10/14/09 Wed 9:30 Club Washington, DC
12/10/09 Thu Plymouth Pavilion Plymouth, GB
12/11/09 Fri Portsmouth Guildhall Portsmouth, GB
12/13/09 Sun Empress Ballroom Blackpool, GB
12/14/09 Mon Birmingham Academy Birmingham, GB
12/15/09 Tue Edinburgh Academy Edinburgh, GB
12/17/09 Thu Hammersmith Apollo London, GB

http://themcrookedvultures.com