Niki N. Phaser » Music News

I Blame Coco Release Debut Single “Caesar”

Niki N. Phaser — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:52:22 +0000

A new Coco is born… Coco Sumner (Sting’s daughter) is taking her first steps in the industry with her band I Blame Coco. Maybe it’s not really important news, but in her defence, she did get some help from one ‘insider’ and no, I don’t mean her daddy. Caesar, the debut single in question, is a collaboration with Swedish pop-honey, Robyn.

It sure is an interesting way to begin a career with the lyrics “I want to annoy, And i’m going to enjoy it”. It might also be a promise of what to expect of I Blame Coco: stylized retro-pretty punk. And for what it’s worth, the video for Caesar does have Berlin late 70′s feel to it and I’m pretty sure that this is not an accident. If you want to see this new band in action you should know they are touring the UK with La Roux this spring. See if this charmingly underproduced track does it for you:

BLAME COCO Here

Smashing Pumpkins Continue “Teargarden” Project

Niki N. Phaser — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:06:15 +0000

Smashing Pumpkins have premiered a new single, Widow Wake My Mind, through MySpace. The song is the second installment in Billy Corgan & co.’s 44 tracks project, entitled Teargarden by Kaleidyscope. It’s quite a different kind of tune than first single, A Song For a Son, which was made available as a free download last month. Maybe it’s just the infectious hopeful sound of this new track, but this diversity promises an interesting project. It is not set yet, but if this will be a one-by-month kind of venture, Smashing Pumpkins might become a favorited show, though waiting 30 days for a new episode is a bit frustrating. Anyway, it’s nice to always have a little pleasure to look forward to. Like the rest of the tracks which Teargarden by Kaleidyscope is comprised of, Widow Wake My Mind is a free download.

LISTEN TO THE WIDOW

H.I.M. Resume Their Heartkilling Habits

Niki N. Phaser — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 22:22:22 +0000

HIM premiered their new video, Heartkiller, on MySpace this Friday, where it quickly became the most watched video for the day. This is the Love-Metallers first single off of their highly anticipated new album, Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice, which will be released next month. Embracing a more poppy sound, Heartkiller might just do the trick Ville Valo has hoped for every first single in the past: it gives a taste of the new direction, while still comforting worried fans. A definite departure from the ‘dirty’ sound of Venus Doom, this new material features a resurrection of the more synthy nuances of Dark Light and Razorblade Romance, as Valo himself admits.

The James Copeman (Razorlight, Mystery Jets) directed video features the band in a dark setting, with some flashes of their taxidermied power animals overlapping from time to time. Of course, this is also a chance for Valo to ‘premiere’ his new tattoos, of Maya Deren and Klaus Kinski. Overall, Heartkiller is a decent song, not more, but it does the job: it states that HIM are up and running once again.

HEARTKILLER

Mike Shinoda Teases LP Fans

Niki N. Phaser — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:16:42 +0000

In a recent blog post on his official website, Linkin Park/Fort Minor member, Mike Shinoda gave fans an update on LP’s new LP. The band had their first meeting of the year, regarding the evolution of their future album, expected to be released, sometime in the summer/autumn of this year. It will be their fourth and the follow-up to the successful Minutes to Midnight. The MC seems happy with the way things are going and emphasizes a lot on the new direction of their recent songs. He even talks about initiating a new genre with this one, so the pressure to not repeat themselves seems to be really off. He also teases the army of fans, waiting for any new information: “I was going to tell you guys the working titles…but I changed my mind”, he writes. Though not a concept album, the new material is, so far, tied by “some thematic threads”, the producer also admits. Five songs are almost confirmed, with another 15-20 being worked on, a batch from which the final tracklisting is supposed to be picked. In earlier reports, there was talk of a more electronic sound, Blade Runner-inspired, but, as we all know, an album has many gestation periods, so we’ll just have to wait and hear.

Soundgarden ‘reopens’

Niki N. Phaser — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 21:38:14 +0000

Chris Cornell certainly entered the new year with joyful news for all. “The 12 year break is over & school is back in session. (…) Knights of the Soundtable ride again!” was his first post of the year on Twitter. You don’t have to be a master of deciphering to know that he is hinting at a Soundgarden reunion. They disbanded in 1997 and apparently, promised themselves that there will be no reunion, unless they all agree, thus avoiding a Guns N’ Roses/Smashing Pumpkins type of situation. Since then, Cornell released several solo records as well as revived old-school hard-rock with Audioslave. Considering that Cornell’s career was going well, there is no reason to believe that there are unhonorable grounds for this reunion. Hopefully, the band will work on new material and not just tour, though that will be welcomed by quite a few (millions of) people. For more info:

RIDE HERE

Blink 182 Visit The Old Continent Next Summer

Niki N. Phaser — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 19:28:24 +0000

Mark Hoppus has announced that Blink 182 will be touring Europe for a few weeks, during the summer of 2010. No exact dates or locations have been published yet, but in the following months, everything will be revealed. To be sure that you are not missing anything, check the band’s official site for future information. Since the band reformed, there has been talk of a new album, but there is still nothing certain. Drummer Travis Barker has been working on his solo record, which will feature, among others, RZA and Chester of Linkin Park and Dead By Sunrise. It will be out next year, under the title Mr. Barker’s. Mark Hoppus has been in the studio also, producing a lot of new bands, while Tom DeLonge’s side project, Angels and Airwaves is about to release a new album, Love, and also an experimental movie of the same name. The first single, Hallucinations, has been released as a free download, as will the entire record. However, some sources state that the band will be working on a new Blink 182 album before touring Europe in 2010. Their last one was released in 2003.

Massive Attack Premiere X-Rated Video For “Paradise Circus”

Niki N. Phaser — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:38:09 +0000

Massive Attack are continuing the proccess of unleashing their new album Heligoland. The latest step is the video for Paradise Circus, a track which features vocals by Hope Sandoval of Mazzy Star fame. The song feels a lot like a departure for the trip hop masters, sounding quite minimal and classic, except for the claps-filled beat. Nevertheless, it’s tragic cross-bearing aura will take its toll on the listener. It certainly creates an unique product, when combined with the video, which is comprised of an interview of former porn star, Georgina Spelvin, as well as uncensored scenes of her most well-known movie, The Devil in Miss Jones. It is an interesting and original work and it’ll be no wonder if more bands start digging up aging porn stars from the 70′s for their videos. On the other hand, this lady does come off as some kind of tragic figure, philosophizing about making ‘fuck movies’ and concluding that “We are our own devils”. After all, these are just some porn scenes in slow-motion. But, maybe, this one is NOT for over analyzing. If you are +18, see for yourself:

PARADISE CIRCUS

New Blondie Album in 2010

Niki N. Phaser — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 18:49:58 +0000

It is official, pop-rock legends Blondie are going to make 2010 and even more special year, by releasing a new album. It will be their first since 2003′s The Curse of Blondie. The band is working with producer Jeff Saltzman and so far, they have around thirty tracks in the works. It’s still unclear if this is going to be a regular release or a digital one, but Chris Stein, talking about the new material, said: “does it sound like a Blondie recording? Yes I am sure it will be familiar”. The Curse of Blondie, though somewhat ignored, was a great collection of songs, so good things may be coming our way. Untill then, we can get into the holiday spirit with the band’s rocky rendition of the traditional We Three Kings, offered as a free download here. VIDEO

Red Hot Chili Peppers One Man Down

Niki N. Phaser — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:22:26 +0000

It is official: John Frusciante is no longer a memeber of funk-rock legends, Red Hot Chili Peppers. The experienced guitarist confirmed that he is going rogue and, even more, that he was out of the band for more than a year, around the time his tenth solo album, The Empyrean, was released. The departure was an amiable one:”I really love the band and what we did. I understand and value that my work with them means a lot to many people, but I have to follow my interests”.

This is the second time Frusciante leaves the band, the first being right after the Peppers made it big with Blood Sugar Sex Magik. At the time, the guitarist thought he couldn’t cope with the rockstar status and quit, just like now, in order to work on his solo projects. Indeed, he released several experimental albums, but also plunged into a lengthy heroin addiction, which was almost the death of him. Johnny Depp and Gibby Haynes documented the state of his house during this period in a short movie called:

STUFF

Muse Get SNL Baptism

Niki N. Phaser — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:40:41 +0000

Besides the massive touring of the United States, Muse have also been selected to play at one of the most popular shows. I’m talking about Saturday Night Live, of course. The alternative brits will be the musical guest this Saturday, December 19. James Franco will be the host. A match made in heaven.

There is no point in denying that this appearance has a great symbolic value for the band’s evolution. It’s just a show, yes, two songs probably, but it’s also a great exposure to mainstream America. This is a little landmark in Muse’s campaign for conquering the States and the world, for that matter.

And if America wants more of Matt Bellamy and his henchmen, there are plenty of chances in the upcoming tour of North America and Canada, stretching from February to April.

DATES HERE