Smashing Pumpkins Plan Shows
After reuniting in 2007 for a new album and tour, the Smashing Pumpkins have announced a new tour to celebrate their 20th Anniversary. Twenty years already? Wow, time flies when you’re shaving your head and bashing former band mates.
According to their website, the Pumpkins will visit mostly smaller-sized venues during an August run of shows the band says will feature “unique sets and songs”. “This tour will be for fun” the band added (because if you know one band that likes to have fun, it’s The Smashing- freakin’- Pumpkins).
The band will also return this November for a number of anniversary shows at bigger venues in such metropolis’ as New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. While no dates have been announced, the anticipated show will only be the second Los Angeles date for the reunited Pumpkins. The band played a so-so received headlining performance at the 2007 KROQ LA Invasion show. I’m guessing a few nights in Universal City or at the Nokia may be in order.
As if that wasn’t enough the band will play a number of shows in early 2009 focusing on the bands debut album “Gish”. Next year will mark the 17th anniversary of the record, which in Pumpkins lore probably has some significance.
Nickelback is Backed By Nickel-Chasing Live Nation
Inexplicably uber-poular rock back Nickelback (you do remember that Wal-Mart accounts for like 50% of all CD sales in the US or something ridiculous like that) has become the latest artist to sign on the dotted line with concert/merchandise/ CD promoter Live Nation. As if they were professional athletes, the deal incorporates all areas of Nickelback’s global music enterprises for three touring and album cycles, with an option for a fourth (where I guess Nickelback can opt-out and sign a long term deal with the Philadelphia 76ers). According to the deal (and from Billboard.com) Live Nation acquired twelve separate artist rights to feed its global distribution package. These rights include, touring, tour sponsorship, tour merchandise, tour VIP/Travel Packages, secondary ticketing, recorded music, clothing, licensing and other retail merchandise, non-tour sponsorship and endorsements, DVD and broadcast rights, fan club, Web site and itinerary rights. Phew, that about covers it. They should have put in the rights for Chad Kroger’s first and third born.
The deal in total is worth $50-$70 million dollars (just let that sink in for a second, you struggling rock bands out there). This is the company’s fourth superstar signing which besides Nickelback includes Jay-Z, Shakira, Madonna and possibly a U2 signing this fall.
For those of you who don’t understand just how Nickelback got this type of deal, it’s simple: they are one of the few crossover rock acts that can sell to every demographic (save possibly rap). They can sell to country crowds, they can sell to rock crowds, they can sell to young, to old, to LA, to Omaha, to Wal Mart, to Best Buy, etc., etc.. It’s a good get for Live Nation, but another sad commentary on how the music industry is today. Instead of investing that $70 million on new, emerging talent they have spent it on a middle of the road act that will sell records but challenge no one.
Franz Ferdinand Track Premiers on Madden
While football season might be a few months away (go Los Angeles oh yeah, that’s right), the old saying goes that football is the one sport with no offs-eason. So while teams jockey for position to be the next New England Patriots New York Giants, the seminal EA Sports video game “Madden ‘09″ has announced some details that should entice both football and music fans.
First of all, as previously announced, retired, not retired, ummm, semi-kinda-retired Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Farve will be the cover boy for this years edition. Secondly, the always quality game soundtrack has been announced and it contains some pretty big names. Headlining the soundtrack is “Lucid Dreams”, a track from Franz Ferdinand’s new album expected to hit stores in February 2009. Other big names that appear include Disturbed, Gym Class Heroes, Mindless Self Indulgence, Senses Fail and The Offspring. While those names shed some commercial power to the game, I have to admit the real thing that peaked my personal interest in this story is the name of the rappers who contribute to the soundtrack. While I’ve never heard of either Izza Kizza, Kardinal Offishall, Tyga or Wale, I do respect their attempts to prove that is more then way to spell a word (By the way: wasn’t “Izza Kizza” a line from a Missy Elliot song?). It also brings up the eternal question of who would win in a fight: a Tyga or a Wale. Place your bets now!
Lil Wayne is Still Selling Records
Just because it’s always kinda interesting to see who is selling what, I give you the top ten records of last week:
- Lil’ Wayne- Tha Carter III- 156,000 copies
- Colplay- Viva La Vida “- 149,000
- Jonas Brothers- Camp Rock- 116,000
- G-G-G-G-G-G G Unit- T.O.S.- 102,000
- John Mayer- Live In Los Angeles- 75,000
- Various Artists- Now 28- 59,000
- Kid Rock- Rock ‘N Roll Jesus- 45,000
- Usher- Here I Stand- 41,000
- Rhianna- Good Girl Gone Bad- 40,000
- Disturbed- Indestructible- 37,000
All in all pretty average. The big guys keep selling records. I’m surprised that people keep buying Kid Rock albums. Honestly: do you know anyone who buys his records anymore? I think he’s huge with the country music segment. The Alkaline Trio’s new record “Agony & Irony” debuted at number 13, which is the bands best sales and charting week ever. Good for them.
Photo by Matthewf01Â
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2 responses so far ↓
1 Steve // Jul 10, 2008 at 9:39 am
I have been reading and enjoying Brian’s writing style, with his tongue in cheek comments, for sometime . I love the way he melds facts with humor, some of which require that the reader know alot about alot of things, not just music. It’s fun to be challenged when reading. Let’s have more!!!!!
2 Leopold Stotch // Jul 12, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Madden/Ferdinand? what a bizaare combo
BTW Posted a great cover of “Take Me Out” at my blog the other day, if yer interested.
http://versionsgalore.blogspot.com/2008/07/oooh-yeah-scissor-me-timbers.html
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